[Orthopedic manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis, and pregnancy morbidity in association with antiphospholipid antibodies. Since its classical description 22 years ago, the clinical spectrum of APS has embraced the realms of obstetrics, nephrology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, angiology and now, possibly orthopaedics. This is not surprising given that this disease can affect virtually any organ system and blood vessel of any size and nature. Just as venous thrombosis may affect limbs and internal organs, arterial thrombosis has been shown to affect organs such as the brain, eye, heart, kidney, liver and may also involve the skeleton.


BACKGROUND
In this review, we describe the orthopedic aspects of APS recently reported, bone metatarsal fractures, osteonecrosis and more exceptional complications, ie algodystrophy and bone marrow necrosis. We briefly discuss postulated pathogenesis and possible implications of anticoagulation.


CONCLUSIONS
This data need further confirmation. They may suggest complementary physiopathologic and therapeutic implications.
Rosenthal
E
E
Service de médecine interne-cancérologie, hôpital de l'Archet 1, 151, route de Saint-Antoine-de-Ginestière, 06200 Nice, France. rosenthal.e@chu-nice.fr
Sangle
S-R
SR
Khamashta
M-A
MA
D'Cruz
D
D
Hughes
G-R-V
GR
D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008684:Metatarsus / Q000293:injuries; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000209:etiology