Haemophilic arthropathy

Definition

Joint destruction in the knees, shoulders, ankles, elbows, and hips is associated with haemophilia. The condition includes acute hemarthrosis, subacute or chronic arthritis, and end-stage haemophilic arthropathy. Nearly all patients with severe haemophilia A or B and half of patients with moderate disease activity experience hemarthrosis. Symptoms include joint pain, joint swelling, joint fibrosis, development of flexion deformities, and erosion of joint cartilage. Joints most commonly affected are knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, and hips (in order of frequency). Bleeding into muscle and soft tissue also causes musculoskeletal dysfunction.

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