Hemophilic Arthritis

Hemophilic arthritis is a type of joint damage that happens to people with hemophilia, a condition where the blood doesn’t clot properly. In hemophilia, even a small injury can cause bleeding inside a joint, like the knees, elbows, or ankles. Over time, repeated bleeding can harm the joint’s cartilage and lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is most likely to happen in major weight-bearing joints or those used frequently. Hemophilic arthritis mainly affects people who are born with hemophilia, which is more common in males because it is linked to a gene on the X chromosome. The main types of hemophilia are hemophilia A, caused by a lack of clotting factor VIII, and hemophilia B, caused by a lack of clotting factor IX, with rare types like hemophilia C, which involves a deficiency of factor XI.

Diagnosing Hemophilic Arthritis

Hemophilic arthritis is diagnosed by looking at a person’s medical history, especially if they have hemophilia and have had repeated joint bleeds. Doctors will ask about joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, and they may check how well the joint moves during a physical exam. Imaging tests, like X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds, can help doctors see any damage to the joint or signs of bleeding. Sometimes, blood tests are done to check for signs of inflammation or to confirm a hemophilia diagnosis if it’s not already known.

Treating Hemophilic Arthritis

Hemophilic arthritis is treated by managing bleeding and reducing joint damage. Doctors usually give medications called clotting factor replacements to help the blood clot and stop bleeding in the joints. Physical therapy is often used to strengthen the muscles around the joint, improve movement, and reduce pain. If the joint is very damaged and other treatments don’t help, surgery might be needed to repair or replace the joint. To prevent more joint problems, people with hemophilic arthritis are also encouraged to avoid activities that could cause injuries and to stay active with low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling.

Edited by Stephen Pinney MD November 22nd, 2024