Avascular Necrosis: A Complication of Sickle Cell

August 28, 2008

SEARCH drSpock

my account | sign in

HOT TOPICS

		Pregnancy Symptoms
		Read with Your Kids -- It's Fun!
		Take Our Quizzes
		Play with Your Baby

TOPICS


	Parents are talking about their children. Join the discussion.

Avascular Necrosis: A Complication of Sickle Cell

by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.
reviewed by Lewis Hsu, M.D., Ph.D.

Children with sickle cell disease are susceptible to several types of complications, avascular necrosis among them. This complication occurs in parts of the body where the base-line blood supply is not particularly good, and therefore is more easily obstructed when sickling occurs. The femoral head, located at the top of the thigh bone, or femur, is particularly at risk for this problem. This part of the body (the ball-in-socket hip joint) is more likely than other areas to suffer a loss of blood flow (avascular) as red blood cell sickle and blood flow becomes obstructed. Deprived of blood's important nutrients, including oxygen, tissues fail to survive and begin to break down (necrosis). Besides the hip, avascular necrosis also tends to occur in the shoulders.

Unfortunately, scientific studies haven't proven that a child with sickle cell can prevent or lessen the odds of developing avascular necrosis. However, staff members at the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center offer these tips based on their own clinical experiences with patients who have sickle cell disease.

Exercise, but limit it to low-impact activities that go easy on the shoulders and hips. In general, avoid activities that involve jumping

Don't jog. The stress it puts on the hip joints can be particularly damaging.

Use controlled movements. To build strength in the legs, perform leg lifts in a sitting position. To keep the shoulders strong, do controlled exercises. For example, exercising with a controlled-resistance workout machine would be preferable to clean-and-jerk maneuvers with heavy barbells.

Go easy with weights. Weight lifting is permissible as long as the amount used is relatively light. Weights that you can lift easily for 10 repetitions, for instance, will help tone muscles without damaging tissue.

Take a multivitamin that contains vitamin D and calcium. Discuss amount guidelines with your child's healthcare provider first, however, as too much vitamin D in combination with calcium can cause the amount of calcium retained by the body to climb to dangerous levels.


RELATED INFORMATION

			General Medical Care for Children With Sickle Cell Disease
			Sickle Cell Disease

Created February 09, 2001
Reviewed February 15, 2001

| |
| | |

THIS SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. The information drSpock.com provides is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have a specific health concern. Mention or advertisement of any product, service, or brand does not constitute endorsement, guarantee, or recommendation by The Dr. Spock Company. Please read our full Terms of Service.