Our experience with orthopedic surgery in hemophiliacs

Introduction: Patients having severe hemophilia (levels of deficient factor below 1%) frequently suffer from disabling chronic arthropathy. An adequate substitution treatment using the coagulation factor VIII or IX concentrates renders an elective surgery feasible. Objective: The objective of the study was to check the results of different surgical procedures in the treatment of hemophilic arthropathies, and to propose the best protocol of their treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective study on 26 hemophilic patients operated in the Orthopedics and Trauma Clinic II, Timisoara, from 2002 to 2005. Elective surgical procedures were mainly performed in the knee (21 arthroscopic procedures, 1 open arthrodesis), elbow (2 open synovectomies, 2 radial head excisions), ankle (1 arthroscopic synovectomy and debridement) and thigh (1 giant pseudo tumor excision, other minor procedures). The results after operations on moderate and severe chronic knee, elbow and ankle arthropathy were evaluated, with approximately 24-month follow-up period. Results: Arthroscopic procedures (22) yielded good and satisfactory results with significant improvement according to the evaluation criteria recommended by the World Hemophilia Federation (Gilbert clinical score, Pettersson radiological score, NUSS MRI score). Conclusion: Mini-invasive elective surgery in moderate to severe chronic arthropathy produces good results when performed in a specialized center and with multi-disciplinary approach

PHYSICAL THERAPY AND FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH HAEMOPHILIC ARTHROPATHY SURGICALLY TREATED

Patients with haemophilia type A or B may develop, over time, haemophilic arthropathy with different degrees of joint dysfunction. This disorder is a consequence of repeated episodes of intraarticular bleeding, with either spontaneous or traumatic aetiology. In the recent years, the therapeutic management of these patients has changed, still, without prompt early diagnosis and prophylactic treatment, the joints deteriorate to such a degree that only a complex multi-disciplinary approach can offer an optimal outcome. Modern high resolution MRI and prophylaxis treatment can detect and delay early signs of haemophilic arthropathy, but, not all patients have access to these types of early interventions. As a result, there are still patients presenting with different of degrees haemophilic arthropathy, which require surgical treatment. Despite the use of modern, minimal invasive approaches, surgical treatment alone can’t offer a good symptom relief and can’t provide a good functional outcome. Thus, the integration of physical therapy and functional rehabilitation in the therapeutic scheme can provide a good support in order for these patients to be socio-economically re-integrated