Osteoarticular disorders of haematological origin

Clinical abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system may be the first manifestation of sickle haemoglobinopathies, leukaemias, lymphomas and haemophilia. In addition to this, known patients with these diseases exhibit a variety of osteoarticular features. The painful crisis is the most common manifestation of sickle cell disorders, but avascular necrosis, osteomyelitis and various forms of arthritides are also common. In haematological malignancies, bone pain and arthritis may occur at any stage of the disease. The diagnosis must be confirmed by the presence of malignant cells on histological examination of various samples. Haemarthrosis is the main symptom of haemophilia. It needs early treatment to avoid damage to the joints. The availability of new safe coagulation factors has improved the prognosis of haemophilia.