Abstract

Hemarthrosis is the most common clinical manifestation of hemophilia and can adversely affect joints and leads to arthropathy. Blood and its celluler component, and more likely iron from erythrocytes perturb the synovium and cartilage, resulting in molecular, biochemical and histological changes resembling a degenerative arthritis. The pathogenesis and molecular changes leading to blood induced hemophilic synovitis are poorly understood. FVIII-deficient knockout mice vuith trauma-induced hemarthrosis serve as a model system for hemophilic synovitis, reproducing the histological features observed in patients. Treatment of hemophilia aims to minimize structural damage to joints and maximize patients' functional independence and quality of life. Joint scores-both clinical and radiological-have traditionally been measured in patients with hemophilia. From an orthopedic perspective, rehabilitation and treatment efficacy can be judged by guantifying the extent of joint damage. In this review, we briefly report the main physio-pathologic studies done and clinical approach for hemophilic arthropathy.