Physiotherapeutic approach for pain and quality of life of a hemophilic patient. Case report

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hemophilia is a congenital, uncommon and chronic coagulopathy characterized by recurrent hemarthrosis outbreaks. It affects predominantly males and produces major musculoskeletal disorders, such as movement limitation, joint fibrosis, hemarthrosis and tissue hemorrhages, muscle contractures, muscle strength deficit and hemophilic arthritis, resulting in pain and impaired quality of life. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of a physiotherapeutic intervention program on pain and quality of life of a patient with hemophilic arthritis. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 23 years old, with hemophilic arthritis. His major complaint was pain in different body sites, especially in ankles and right knee. Pain was evaluated with the visual analog scale and body pain map, and quality of life was evaluated with the Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire. Patient was submitted to eight physiotherapy sessions, once a week, with mean duration of 50 minutes, between May and June 2015. Adopted intervention protocol was based on conventional kinesiotherapy. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that a physiotherapy program based on kinesiotherapy has decreased the number of tender points and pain intensity, as well as has improved quality of life of a patient with hemophilic arthritis.