Benefits of radial head excision in patients with haemophilia: mid-term functional results

Recurrent haemarthrosis in haemophilic patients result with arthropathy of the radiocapitellar joint and blockage of the forearm rotation.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the mid-term results of radial head excision with partial synovectomy in severe haemophilic patients retrospectively.

Persistent pain and decreased forearm rotation were the main indications for radial head excision. Between 2002 and 2013, radial head excisions were performed for 14 elbows of 14 patients. Eleven patients were haemophilia A, whereas two patients were haemophilia B patients and the remaining one had von Willebrand (Type 3) disease. The mean age of the patients was 29 at the time of the surgery. The mean follow-up was 51 (12-155) months. VAS (visual analogue score) for pain, forearm rotation, qDASH and MEPS (Mayo Elbow Performance Score) were used as the primary outcome parameters.

The mean VAS decreased significantly from 6.5 preoperatively to 2.2 at the final follow-up (P = 0.0003). The mean forearm rotation increased from 40° to 115° respectively (P = 0.0007). In two patients, efficacious rotation increase was not achieved due to distal radioulnar joint problems. The mean qDASH score and MEPS were 18.1 and 87.5 at the latest follow-up, respectively, where four patients had excellent and 10 patients had good results.

Radial head excision is a safe and effective procedure for haemophiliac patients with radiocapitellar arthropathy and decreased forearm rotation. Distal radioulnar joint should be evaluated preoperatively which may impair the results.