(ii) Orthopaedic surgery and haemophilia

Outcome of total knee arthroplasty combined patelloplasty for end-stage type A hemophilic arthropathy

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the outcome of total knee arthroplasty for end-stage hemophilic arthropathy, based on effectiveness of operation, the specificity of surgical technique, the complications of TKA operation and the strategy of handling of patella. Nineteen patients (25 knees) with type A hemophilic arthropathy were treated with TKA from June 2003 to February 2010. Average patella thickness was 16.3±0.4mm and all patellas were treated by patelloplasty. The patient followed up data was recorded, which included the information of hospital for special surgery knee score(HSS), range of motion(ROM), post-operative complication, and anterior knee pain. The patients were followed for an average post-operative period of 41months (10 to 78months). The mean preoperative HSS score was 51 (31 to 64). Post-operative HSS score was 91 (75 to 110) when followed-up. ROM was modified to 82 degree (60 to 105), compared with 55 degree (5 to 110) preoperatively. Thirteen patients with flexion contracture were corrected from 19 degree (0 to 45) to 2.7 degree (0 to 10). Four patients complained mild but endurable anterior knee pain. The study concludes that TKA is an effective treatment for end-stage hemophilic arthropathy of knee joint, providing good clinical outcome and improving quality of life. Patella of hemophiliac is relatively thin and osteoporotic. Patelloplasty is useful technique for handling of patella during TKA procedure for hemophiliac, with improved knee function, low and acceptable anterior knee pain rate, low reoperation rate.

Outcomes in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia at the University of California, San Francisco: a retrospective review

Severe haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow is a significant cause of morbidity among adults with haemophilia. However, previous reports of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in the haemophilic population have been based on small numbers of patients with relatively short-term follow-up. The records of seven total elbow arthroplasties in six adult men with haemophilia at the University of California, San Francisco who underwent TEA over a period of 25 years were retrospectively reviewed. Type of haemophilia, age at time of TEA, HIV infection status, pre- and postoperative range-of-motion (ROM) scores, complications (including infections), need for subsequent surgical revision and functional outcomes were recorded. Four patients had severe factor VIII deficiency and two patients had severe factor IX deficiency. None of the patients had an inhibitor. The mean age at the time of surgery was 34 years (range, 22-46 years) and the mean follow-up period was 118 months (range, 37-176 months). One of the six patients had TEA in both elbows. Five of the six patients were infected with HIV. There were no immediate perioperative complications. At a mean of 19.2 months postoperatively, ROM had improved in five of seven TEAs: mean flexion had increased from 110.7° (SD = 15.0) to 120.1° (SD = 14.5), whereas mean preoperative extension increased from -44.3° (SD = 21.5) to -36.9° (SD = 27.0). One patient required a revision at 30 months because of ulnar component loosening. This same patient sustained a staph epidermidis infection and ultimate removal of the prosthesis 15 years postoperatively. At a mean of 118 months postoperatively, five of six patients continued to report reduced pain and preserved functionality, with ability to perform normal daily activities. TEA resulted in favourable results in six of seven procedures. Our findings support the viability of TEA for individuals with severe haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow, especially to reduce pain and preserve or restore functionality.