ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can improve knee function in the general population, but challenges arise for TKA use in haemophilic patients (HPs). AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the midterm clinical experience of a single medical centre in TKA in HPs. METHODS: We performed a case series of consecutive TKAs from 2007 to 2013 in HPs. All patients received coagulation factor supplementation according to the institutional protocol. Surgery was performed without a tourniquet by a standard midline medial parapatellar approach. We compared the range of motion (ROM) and flexion contracture before surgery and 1-year postoperative using paired Wilcoxon-non-parametric test (P < .05 was considered significant). The need for revision surgery was considered TKA survival failure. RESULTS: Forty-one HP/60 TKAs were reviewed (19 cases were bilateral). Preoperative median ROM and flexion contracture was 75° (range, 0°-95°) and 20° (range, 5°-80°), respectively. The postoperative median ROM increased to 83° (range, 45°-110°), and median flexion contracture decrease to 0° (range, 0°-40°) a statistically significant difference (P < .01). Postoperative median clinical Knee Society Score (KSS) and functional KSS were 88 (range, 59-97) and 100 (range, 30-100), respectively. Six patients required revision (6.66%) due to infection. TKA survival at 5 years was 92% (range, 82%-96%). CONCLUSION: This study supports that TKA improves function and ROM in haemophilic knee arthropathy. The protocol of coagulation factors used in this cohort is valid as no related complications were reported. A higher incidence of complications, especially infections, must be expected compared with a TKA in non-HPs.
