Osteoarticular manifestations in sickle-cell disorders

The osteoarticular manifestations of the main sickling disorders (homozygous sickle cell-HbSS anaemia-, double heterozygous-HbS-beta thalassaemia, double heterozygous HbS-C disease and sickle cell-trait) are reviewed; They may be grouped into 3 main categories: vaso-occlusive, infective and metabolic. The pathophysiology and pathogenesis as well as the treatment are discussed.