Haemophilic arthropathy of the shoulder

Among 41 adult haemophiliacs 15 suffered from shoulder symptoms. We examined 12 patients by radiography and ultrasound. Four had bilateral symptoms making a total of 16 symptomatic shoulders. Of these, 10 had abnormal ultrasound scans with eight having evidence of rotator cuff tears. Evidence of bicipital tendonitis was found in two. Pain with loss of range of movement and a positive impingement sign was the most reliable clinical indicator of a cuff tear. Joint incongruity and superior migration of the humeral head were the best radiographic indicators. Rotator cuff tears are a common component of haemophilic arthropathy of the shoulder.