Subjective results of joint lavage and viscosupplementation in hemophilic arthropathy

OBJECTIVE To assess whether joint lavage, viscosupplementation and triamcinolone improve joint pain, function and quality of life in patients with severe hemophilic arthropathy. METHODS Fourteen patients with knee and/or ankle hemophilic arthritis with and without involvement of other joints underwent joint lavage and subsequent injection of hylan G-F20 and triamcinolone in all affected joints. The patients answered algo-functional questionnaires (Lequesne and WOMAC), visual analog scale for pain (VAS) and SF-36 preoperatively, and at one, three, six and twelve months postoperatively. RESULTS Sixteen knees, 15 ankles, 8 elbows and one shoulder were treated in 14 patients. Six patients had musculoskeletal bleeding [ankle (1), leg muscle (2) and knees (4)] at 3 months affecting the results. Pain did not improve significantly. Function improved (WOMAC p=0.02 and Lequesne p=0.01). The physical component of SF-36 improved at all time points except at 3 months, with best results at one-year follow-up (baseline = 33.4; 1 month = 39.6; 3 months= 37.6; 6 months 39.6 and 1 year = 44.6; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Joint lavage followed by injection of triamcinolone and hylan G-F20 improves function and quality of life progressively up to a year, even in severe hemophilic arthropathy. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.