Tag: Vaso occlusion

Over half of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience chronic pain, and many also endure unpredictable acute pain crises. The question of why does sickle cell disease cause pain responses is a complex one, involving not only physical obstructions but also systemic inflammation and neurological changes.

Vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) are the most common reason for emergency room visits among people with sickle cell disease. A vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease is a dangerous blockage of blood flow by misshapen, sickle-shaped red blood cells, triggering immense pain and serious complications.

While there isn't a single universally defined clinical "triad" for sickle cell crisis, the term often refers to the core underlying mechanisms: vaso-occlusion, inflammation, and hemolysis. These three intertwined processes drive the pain, organ damage, and other devastating symptoms of a sickle cell crisis.

Affecting millions globally, sickle cell disease often leads to severe pain. But **what causes bone pain in sickle cell disease**? It is primarily the result of stiff, sickle-shaped red blood cells blocking blood flow, which causes a cascade of damaging events within the body's bones and joints.