Lower limb arthrodeses in haemophilia

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hematology

Background:

• Severely haemophilic patients often experience joint damage and pain.
• Arthrodesis (joint fusion) is a surgical option for managing severe joint destruction.

Observation:

• Sixteen patients with severe hemophilia underwent knee or ankle arthrodesis between 1966 and 1976.
• Internal fixation was used for all joint fusions.
• Follow-up ranged from nine months to eight years.

Findings:

• All nine knee and seven ankle arthrodeses resulted in satisfactory bony union.
• No further surgical intervention was required for bony union.
• The procedure was associated with complications, though not specified.

Implications:

• Arthrodesis with internal fixation can be an effective treatment for lower limb joint destruction in hemophilia.
• Careful surgical technique is crucial to manage potential complications.
• This historical data provides insight into long-term surgical outcomes for hemophilic arthrodesis.