Joint surgery in von Willebrand disease: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Joint bleeds are reported by 23% of von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients and associated with orthopaedic surgery. Limited data are available on joint surgery in VWD.

To assess the prevalence, indications, management and complications of joint surgery in VWD patients.

804 VWD patients with historically lowest von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity ≤30 U dL^-1 completed a questionnaire on joint bleeds, joint damage and orthopaedic surgery. We retrieved additional medical file data of patients who underwent surgery on large joints (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee or ankle).

116 out of 804 patients (14%) reported large joint surgery. Compared to VWD patients without previous orthopaedic surgery, these 116 patients reported more frequently a history of joint bleeds and joint damage (41% vs. 20%, P < 0.001 and 61% vs. 20%, P < 0.001). Medical file data on 126 large joint surgeries in 79 VWD patients revealed that this surgery was associated with joint damage due to prior joint bleeds in 24% of the procedures. Preoperative clotting factor correction (CFC) to prevent bleeding was administered in most cases (81%). Documentation on postoperative bleeding was found in 23 surgeries (18%).

Large joint surgery is reported by 14% of VWD patients, related to joint bleeds in 24% and seems associated with bleeding complications frequently despite perioperative CFC.