Haemophilic arthropathy: a ten year radiological and clinical study

A ten-year retrospective study has been undertaken on a group of ten haemophiliacs for whom previous haematological and radiological data was available. Radiological and clinical assessment of their knees and elbows (40 joints) have been correlated to the accurate recording of all haemarthroses suffered by these joints. There is a statistically significant association between the number of haemarthroses and the radiological change in the joint, as determined significant association between number of haemarthroses and deterioration in clinical function. Several bleeds can occur in a haemophilic joint without necessarily causing permanent radiological change; this new finding in adults may be due to modern therapy.