Lower limb pain in thalassemia.

A group of 67 homozygous beta thalassemic patients was investigated for disturbances related to their lower limbs. Thirty-six patients presented a variety of complaints. Four distinct types of pain were found. Ischemic crampy muscle pain in 12 patients. Postural pulsating pain after activity or prolonged standing was described by 18 patients. High intraosseous pressure was found in a significant number of these patients. Post transfusion hemosiderosis producing synovitis was diagnosed in 2 patients. Four additional patients presented acute self-limiting episodes of pain. This pain was probably due to microfractures. Some patients presented a combination of various pain patterns.