Hemarthrosis

X-ray of knee hemarthrosis

Etiology

Hemarthrosis literally means blood in the joint

Definition

It is defined by bleeding into and swelling of a joint

Causes

Most cases are either due to trauma, injection, surgery or bleeding disorders

Signs and symptoms

• Swelling
• Pain
• Limitation in joint movement
• Risk of infection
• Warmth

Diagnosis

• A physical examination and history
• Synovial Fluid analysis - Reddish-colored hue of the sample is an indication of the blood being present.
• X-rays, CT/MRI imaging, and or joint aspiration

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause and may include pain control, anti-inflammatory medications, antibiotics, synovectomy and or surgery.

Hemarthrosis

Hemophilia and hemarthrosis

In hemophilia it may occur spontaneously, and recurrent hemarthroses are a major cause of disability in hemophilacs leading to hemophilic arthropathy, requiring synovectomy, joint replacement. Reducing hemarthroses events using intravenous administration of blood clotting factor concentrate on a regular basis starting in early childhood, reduces joint deterioration and increases the person's quality of life compared to "on demand" treatment is recommended.

Complications

Up to a quarter of all severe ligament or capsular knee injuries leading to a haemarthrosis are associated with cartilage damage that can lead to progressive degenerative arthritis.<ref>Goldberg A, Stansby G "Surgical Talk" 2nd edition</ref>

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