Orthopedic surgery in hemophilic patients with musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review

Hemophilia is a hereditary coagulopathy caused by factor VIII (hemophilia type A) or by coagulation factor IX (hemophilia type B) dysfunction, characterized by an increased bleeding predisposition, which is either spontaneous or secondary to minimal trauma. Currently, hemophilia may also be considered an 'orthopedic' condition, due to the fact that it affects the musculoskeletal system of most hemophilic patients. In recent years, constant prophylaxis using coagulation factors has led to a significant improvement in the hemophilic patient's quality of life, by reducing both life-threatening hemorrhagic phenomena, as well as the occurrence of chronic complications. Nevertheless, progressive joint bleeding remains unavoidable in this category of patients, and the onset of chronic arthropathy with secondary motor deficiency remains the main complication with an invalidating character. In such cases, orthopedic management is imperative; osteoarticular complications being managed most often with the help of conservative or surgical techniques. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of modern orthopedic practices which are useful in the management of hemophilic patients suffering from osteoarticular disorders.