Synovectomy and total joint arthroplasty for recurrent hemarthroses in the arthropathic joint in hemophilia

Abstract

Severe hemophiliacs with intractable bleeding into one or more joints despite adequate clotting factor replacement therapy are difficult management problems. Synovectomy has controlled bleeding only in joints without significant arthritic destruction. Total joint replacements have been performed in arthropathic joints, but not when uncontrolled bleeding was a concurrent problem. This report describes a hemophiliac with uncontrolled bleeding into an arthritic knee who was successfully managed by combining synovectomy with total knee replacement.