Can sickle cell anemia cause bone pain?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by a marked heterogeneity in clinical and hematologic severity, with bone and joint problems being the most common ma. ... Pain episodes can occur in early infancy and into adulthood, and are a major cause of hospitalization in SCD. read more

Mankad VN, Williams JP, Harpen MD, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of bone marrow in sickle cell disease: clinical, hematologic, and pathologic correlations. Blood 1990; 75:274. Shapiro BS, Dinges DF, Orne EC, et al. Home management of sickle cell-related pain in children and adolescents: natural history and impact on school attendance. read more

The femoral head is the most common area of bone destruction in sickle cell patients, although other disease-related problems include avascular necrosis of the humeral head, changes in the thoracic and lumbar spine, infection with encapsulated organisms (Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus are the most common), bone marrow disturbances, and dental effects. read more