Total knee arthroplasty in hemophiliacs: gains in range of motion realized beyond twelve months postoperatively

• Published in: Clinics in orthopedic surgery Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 121 - 128
• Main Authors: Kamath, Atul F, Horneff, John G, Forsyth, Angela, Nikci, Valdet, Nelson, Charles L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Orthopaedic Association 01.06.2012; 대한정형외과학회
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hemophilia A - complications; Hemophilia A - physiopathology; Hemophilia A - therapy; Humans; Joint Diseases - blood; Joint Diseases - complications; Joint Diseases - surgery; Knee Joint - physiopathology; Knee Joint - surgery; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Physical Therapy Modalities; Range of Motion, Articular - physiology; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; 정형외과학; Extensor mechanism; Total knee arthroplasty; Contracture; Physical therapy; Hemophilia
• ISSN: 2005-291X; 2005-4408
• DOI: 10.4055/cios.2012.4.2.121

Hemophiliacs have extrinsic tightness from quadriceps and flexion contractures. We sought to examine the effect of a focused physical therapy regimen geared to hemophilic total knee arthroplasty. Twenty-four knees undergoing intensive hemophiliac-specific physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty, at an average age of 46 years, were followed to an average 50 months. For all patients, flexion contracture improved from -10.5 degrees preoperatively to -5.1 degrees at final follow-up (p = 0.02). Knees with preoperative flexion less than 90 degrees were compared to knees with preoperative flexion greater than 90 degrees. Patients with preoperative flexion less than 90 degrees experienced improved flexion (p = 0.02), along with improved arc range of motion (ROM) and decreased flexion contracture. For those patients with specific twelve-month and final follow-up data points, there was a significant gain in flexion between twelve months and final follow-up (p = 0.02). Hemophiliacs with the poorest flexion benefited most from focused quadriceps stretching to a more functional length, with gains not usually seen in the osteoarthritic population. This data may challenge traditional views that ROM gains are not expected beyond 12-18 months.