[Sickle cell anemia and its skeletal and joint changes as an orthopedic problem]

In more than 15% of the homozygotic patients sickle-cell anemia coincides with severe changes of the skeleton. The skeletal manifestation of the disease is characterized by a generalized osteoporosis and--more typical--by destruction of the epi- and metaphysis caused by osseous infarction. The indication, effectiveness and technical problems of total joint replacement in bilateral destruction of the hipjoints due to sickle-cell anemia are demonstrated.