Outcome measures analysis following total knee arthroplasty in patients with severe haemophilic arthropathy of the knee

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been the gold standard for treating severe haemophilic arthropathy of the knee when all conservative measures fail. However, performing a TKA in patients with haemophilic arthropathy is difficult due to severe joint deformity and destruction, and poor bone quality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short-term results of TKA in the treatment of knee haemophilic arthropathy in a tertiary referral centre, with an emphasis on health-related quality of life and knee function. A prospective study was conducted that included 19 male patients with end-stage haemophilic knee arthropathy who underwent TKA in a tertiary referral centre. Clinical outcome and health-related quality of life were assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) index and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) both pre-operatively and at 1-year post-operatively. The mean age of the patients was 50.37±7.63 years (range, 40-65 years). Pre-operative health-related quality of life was impaired in all patients in all SF-36 domains but was markedly improved after TKA. Knee function in all dimensions (pain, stiffness and physical function), as measured by the WOMAC questionnaire, significantly improved after TKA. Pre-operative pain, stiffness and function, along with total WOMAC score, were strongly and negatively correlated with pre-operative SF-36. Overall, the present study indicated a significant improvement in quality of life and clinical outcome after TKA in patients with advanced haemophilic arthropathy. More studies with longer follow-up periods in a larger population are needed to fully elucidate the mid- and long-term values of TKA in haemophilic patients.