In patients with vaso-occlusive crisis, which area is most commonly associated with pain?

In patients experiencing vaso-occlusive crisis, the most commonly associated area with pain is the lower limbs. This is primarily due to the fact that sickle cell disease leads to the obstruction of blood flow in various vascular bed, notably those in the bones and soft tissues of the extremities. Pain typically arises from ischemia and tissue damage resulting from this occlusion.

Although pain can be reported in multiple areas such as the abdomen, back, and limbs, lower limb pain is particularly prevalent. The bones in the legs are heavily involved in the pathological processes of sickle cell disease, leading to more frequent and intense pain episodes in this region during a vaso-occlusive crisis.