Guidelines for the management of



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Synovitis

1.  Following acute hemarthrosis, the synovium 

becomes inflamed, is hyperemic and extremely 

friable.


2.  Failure to manage acute synovitis can result in 

repeated hemarthroses [1,2]. 

3.  During this stage, the joint requires protection 

with a removal splint or compressive bandaging. 

4.  Activities should be restricted until swelling and 

temperature of the joint return to baseline.

5.  In some cases, COX-2 inhibitors may be useful.

6.  Range of motion is preserved in the early stages. 

Differentiation between hemarthrosis and syno-

vitis is made by performing a detailed physical 

examination of the joint. 

7.  The presence of synovial hypertrophy may be 

confirmed by ultrasonography or MRI. Plain 

radiographs and particularly MRI will assist in 

defining the extent of osteochondral changes.

8.  With repeated bleeding, the synovium becomes 

chronically inflamed and hypertrophied, and 

the joint appears swollen (this swelling is usually 

not tense, nor is it particularly painful): this is 

chronic synovitis. 

9.  As the swelling continues to increase, articular 

damage, muscle atrophy, and loss of motion will 

progress to chronic hemophilic arthropathy. 

10. The goal of treatment is to deactivate the 



synovium as quickly as possible and preserve 

joint function (Level 5) [3,4]. Options include: 

 ■ factor concentrate replacement, ideally given 



with the frequency and at dose levels sufficient 

to prevent recurrent bleeding (Level 2) [5-8]

 ■

If concentrates are available in sufficient 



doses, short treatment courses (6-8 weeks) 

of secondary prophylaxis with intensive 

physiotherapy are beneficial. 

6

COMPLICATIONS OF 



HEMOPHILIA 

GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEMOPHILIA

56

 ■ physiotherapy (Level 2) [9,10], including: 



 ■

daily exercise to improve muscle strength 

and maintain joint motion

 ■

modalities to reduce secondary inflamma-



tion, if available [11]

 ■

functional training [12] 



 ■ a course of NSAIDs (COX-2 inhibitors), 

which may reduce inflammation (Level 2) 

[13,14]

 ■ functional bracing, which allows the joint to 

move but limits movement at the ends of range 

where the synovium can be pinched and which 

may prevent new bleeding [15].

 ■ synovectomy 

Synovectomy

1.  Synovectomy should be considered if chronic 



synovitis persists with frequent recurrent 

bleeding not controlled by other means. 

Options for synovectomy include chemical or 

radioisotopic synoviorthesis, and arthroscopic 

or open surgical synovectomy. (Level 4) [16,17]

2.  Non-surgical synovectomy is the procedure of 

choice. 

3.  Radioisotopic synovectomy using a pure beta 



emitter (phosphorus-32 or yttrium-90) is highly 

effective, has few side effects, and can be accom-

plished in an out-patient setting. (Level 4) 

[18,19]

 ■ A single dose of clotting factor is often suffi-

cient for a single injection of the isotope. 

 ■ Rehabilitation is less intense than after surgical 

synovectomy but is still required to help the 

patient regain strength, proprioception, and 

normal functional use of the joint.

4.  If a radioisotope is not available, chemical synovi-

orthesis with either rifampicin or oxytetracycline 

chlorhydrate is an appropriate alternative [20,21]. 

 ■ Chemical synoviorthesis involves weekly injec-

tions until the synovitis is controlled.

 ■ These painful injections require the administra-

tion of intra-articular xilocaine a few minutes 

before injection of the sclerosing agent, oral 

analgesics (a combination of acetaminophen/

paracetamol and an opioid), and a dose of clot-

ting factor concentrate prior to each injection. 

 ■ The low cost of the chemical agent is offset 

by the need for multiple injections of factor 

concentrate. 

 ■ Rehabilitation, as described for radioactive 

synovectomy, is recommended.

5.  Surgical synovectomy, whether open or arthroscopic, 

requires a large supply of clotting factor for both 

surgery and the lengthy period of rehabilitation. 

The procedure must be performed by an experi-

enced team at a dedicated hemophilia treatment 

centre. It is only considered when other less inva-

sive and equally effective procedures fail. 



Chronic hemophilic arthropathy

1.  Chronic hemophilic arthropathy can develop 

any time from the second decade of life (and 

sometimes earlier), depending on the severity 

of bleeding and its treatment. 

2.  The process is set in motion by the immediate 

effects of blood on the articular cartilage during 

hemarthrosis [1,2] and reinforced by persistent 

chronic synovitis and recurrent hemarthroses, 

resulting in irreversible damage.

3.  With advancing cartilage loss, a progressive 

arthritic condition develops that includes: 

 ■ secondary soft tissue contractures 

 ■ muscle atrophy 

 ■ angular deformities 

4.  Deformity can also be enhanced by contracture 

following muscle bleeds or neuropathy. 

5.  Loss of motion is common, with flexion contrac-

tures causing the most significant functional loss. 

6.  Joint motion and weight bearing can be extremely 

painful. 

7.  As the joint deteriorates, swelling subsides due 

to progressive fibrosis of the synovium and the 

capsule. 

8.  If the joint becomes ankylosed, pain may diminish 

or disappear. 

9.  The radiographic features of chronic hemophilic 

arthropathy depend on the stage of involvement. 

 ■ Radiographs will only show late osteochon-

dral changes [22,23].



COMPLICATIONS OF HEMOPHILIA 

57

 ■ Ultrasound or MRI examination will show 



early soft tissue and osteochondral changes 

[24-26]. 

 ■ Cartilage space narrowing will vary from 

minimal to complete loss. 

 ■ Bony erosions and subchondral bone cysts will 

develop, causing collapse of articular surfaces 

that can lead to angular deformities. 

 ■ Fibrous/bony ankylosis may be present [27]. 

10. The goals of treatment are to improve joint 

function, relieve pain, and assist the patient to 

continue/resume normal activities of daily living. 

11. Treatment options for chronic hemophilic 

arthropathy depend on:

 ■ the stage of the condition

 ■ the patient’s symptoms

 ■ the impact on the patient’s lifestyle and func-

tional abilities

 ■ the resources available

12. Pain should be controlled with appropriate anal-

gesics. Certain COX-2 inhibitors may be used 

to relieve arthritic pain (see ‘Pain Management’, 

page 18). (Level 2) [13,14]

13. Supervised physiotherapy aiming to preserve 



muscle strength and functional ability is a very 

important part of management at this stage. 

Secondary prophylaxis may be necessary if 

recurrent bleeding occurs as a result of phys-

iotherapy. (Level 2) [9,10]

14. Other conservative management techniques 

include:

 ■ serial casting to assist in correcting deformi-

ties [28,29]. 

 ■ bracing and orthotics to support painful and 

unstable joints [15]. 

 ■ walking aids or mobility aids to decrease stress 

on weight-bearing joints. 

 ■ adaptations to the home, school, or work envi-

ronment to allow participation in community 

activities and employment and to facilitate 

activities of daily living [30]. 

15. If these conservative measures fail to provide 

satisfactory relief of pain and improved func-

tioning, surgical intervention may be considered. 

Surgical procedures, depending on the specific 

condition needing correction, may include: 

 ■ extra-articular soft tissue release to treat 

contractures. 

 ■ arthroscopy to release intra-articular adhe-

sions and correct impingement [31]. 

 ■ osteotomy to correct angular deformity.

 ■ prosthetic joint replacement for severe disease 

involving a major joint (knee, hip, shoulder, 

elbow) [32]. 

 ■ elbow synovectomy with radial head excision 

[33].


 ■ arthrodesis of the ankle, which provides excel-

lent pain relief and correction of deformity 

with marked improvement in function. Recent 

improvements in ankle replacement surgery 

may pose an alternative for persons with hemo-

philia in the future [34,35]. 

16. Adequate resources, including sufficient factor 

concentrates and post-operative rehabilitation, 

must be available in order to proceed with any 

surgical procedure. (Level 3) [36-38]

Principles of physiotherapy/physical medicine 

in hemophilia

1.  Physiotherapists and occupational therapists and/

or physiatrists should be part of the core hemo-

philia team. Their involvement with patients and 

their families should begin at the time of diag-

nosis, and they remain important to the patient 

throughout their lifespan. 

2.  Their role in the management of the patient with 

hemophilia includes the following [9,39-41]: 

 ■ Assessment

 ■

Determining the site of an acute bleed



 ■

Regular assessment throughout life

 ■

Pre-operative assessment



 ■ Education

 ■

Of the patient and family regarding muscu-



loskeletal complications and their treatment

 ■

Of school personnel regarding suitable 



activities for the child, immediate care in 

case of a bleed, and modifications in activ-

ities that may be needed after bleeds.

 ■ Treatment of acute bleeds, chronic synovitis, 

and chronic arthropathy using a variety of 

techniques including hydrotherapy, heat, ice, 



GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEMOPHILIA

58

electrical nerve stimulation, pulsed diathermy, 



ultrasound as well as various orthoses for pain 

relief and restoration of function.



Pseudotumours

1.  The pseudotumour is a potentially limb and life-

threatening condition unique to hemophilia that 

occurs as a result of inadequately treated soft 

tissue bleeds, usually in muscle adjacent to bone, 

which can be secondarily involved. It is most 

commonly seen in a long bone or the pelvis.

2.  If not treated, the pseudotumour can reach 

enormous size, causing pressure on the adja-

cent neurovascular structures and pathologic 

fractures. A fistula can develop through the over-

lying skin.

3.  Diagnosis is made by the physical finding of a 

localized mass. 

4.  Radiographic findings include a soft tissue mass 

with adjacent bone destruction. 

5.  A more detailed and accurate evaluation of a 

pseudotumour can be obtained with CT scan 

and MRI. 

6.  Management depends on the site, size, rate 

of growth, and effect on adjoining structures. 

Options include factor replacement and moni-

toring, aspiration, and surgical ablation.

 ■ A six-week course of treatment with factor is 



recommended, followed by repeat MRI. If the 

tumour is decreasing, continue with factor and 

repeat MRI for three cycles. (Level 4) [42,43]

 ■ Proceed to surgery if necessary, which will be 

much easier if the tumour has shrunk.

 ■ Aspiration of the pseudotumour followed by 



injections of fibrin glue, arterial emboliza-

tion, or radiotherapy may heal some lesions. 

Surgery may be needed for others. (Level 4) 

[44,45]

 ■ Surgical excisions, including limb amputations, 

may be necessary for large pseudotumours, 

particularly if they erode long bones. Large 

abdominal pseudotumours present a special 

challenge in surgical management of hemo-

philia; surgery must only be performed by 

teams with experience in hemophilia.



Fractures

1.  Fractures are not frequent in people with hemo-

philia, possibly due to lower levels of ambulation 

and intensity of activities [46]. However, a person 

with hemophilic arthropathy may be at risk for 

fractures around joints that have significant loss 

of motion and in bones that are osteoporotic. 

2.  Treatment of a fracture requires immediate 



factor concentrate replacement. (Level 4) 

[46-48]

3.  Clotting factor levels should be raised to at 



least 50% and maintained for three to five days. 

(Level 4) [3,46-48]

4.  Lower levels may be maintained for 10–14 days 

while the fracture becomes stabilized and to 

prevent soft tissue bleeding. 

5.  The management plan should be appropriate for 

the specific fracture, including operative treat-

ment under appropriate coverage of clotting 

factor concentrates. 

6.  Circumferential plaster should be avoided; 

splints are preferred. (Level 4) [46]

7.  Compound/infected fractures may require 

external fixators [49]. 

8.  Prolonged immobilization, which can lead to 



significant limitation of range of movement in 

the adjacent joints, should be avoided. (Level 

4) [46,47]

9.  Physiotherapy should be started as soon as the 

fracture is stabilized to restore range of motion, 

muscle strength, and function [39]. 



Principles of orthopedic surgery in 

hemophilia

For important considerations related to performing 

surgical procedures in persons with hemophilia, 

please see “Surgery and invasive procedures”, on page 

16. Specific issues in relation to orthopedic surgery 

include:


1.  Orthopedic surgeons should have had specific 

training in surgical management of persons with 

hemophilia [3]. 


COMPLICATIONS OF HEMOPHILIA 

59

2.  Performing multiple site elective surgery in a 



simultaneous or staggered fashion to use clot-

ting factor concentrates judiciously should be 

considered. (Level 3) [50]

3.  Local coagulation enhancers may be used. 



Fibrin glue is useful to control oozing when 

operating in extensive surgical fields. (Level 

3) [36,51,52]

4.  Post-operative care in patients with hemophilia 



requires closer monitoring of pain and often 

higher doses of analgesics in the immediate 

post-operative period. (Level 5) [36]

5.  Good communication with the post-operative 

rehabilitation team is essential [39]. Knowledge 

of the details of the surgery performed and intra-

operative joint status will facilitate planning of 

an appropriate rehabilitation program.

6.  Post-operative rehabilitation should be carried 

out by a physiotherapist experienced in hemo-

philia management.

7.  Rehabilitation may have to progress more slowly 

in persons with hemophilia. 

8.  Adequate pain control is essential to allow appro-

priate exercise and mobilization.

9.  These principles also apply to fixation of frac-

tures and excision of pseudotumours.

6.2  Inhibitors

1.   “Inhibitors” in hemophilia refer to IgG anti-

bodies that neutralize clotting factors.

2.  In the current era in which clotting factor concen-

trates have been subjected to appropriate viral 

inactivation, inhibitors to FVIII or FIX are 

considered to be the most severe treatment-

related complication in hemophilia. 

3.  The presence of a new inhibitor should be 

suspected in any patient who fails to respond 

clinically to clotting factors, particularly if he has 

been previously responsive. In this situation, the 

expected recovery and half-life of the transfused 

clotting factor are severely diminished. 

4.  Inhibitors are more frequently encountered in 

persons with severe hemophilia compared to 

those with moderate or mild hemophilia. 

5.  The cumulative incidence (i.e. lifetime risk) of 

inhibitor development in severe hemophilia A is 

in the range of 20-30% and approximately 5-10% 

in moderate or mild disease [53-54].

6.  In severe hemophilia A, the median age of 

inhibitor development is three years or less in 

developed countries. In moderate/mild hemo-

philia A, it is closer to 30 years of age, and is often 

seen in conjunction with intensive FVIII expo-

sure with surgery [55,56].

7.  In severe hemophilia, inhibitors do not change 

the site, frequency, or severity of bleeding. In 

moderate or mild hemophilia, the inhibitor 

may neutralize endogenously synthesized FVIII, 

thereby effectively converting the patient’s pheno-

type to severe. 

8.  Bleeding manifestations in moderate/mild hemo-

philia complicated by an inhibitor are more 

frequently reminiscent of those seen in patients 

with acquired hemophilia A (due to auto-anti-

bodies to FVIII), with a greater predominance 

of mucocutaneous, urogenital, and gastrointes-

tinal bleeding sites [57]. Consequently, the risk of 

severe complications or even death from bleeding 

may be significant in these patients.

9.  Inhibitors are much less frequently encountered 

in hemophilia B, occurring in less than 5% of 

affected individuals [58]. 

10. In all cases, inhibitors render treatment with 

replacement factor concentrates difficult. Patients 

on clotting factor therapy should therefore be 

screened for inhibitor development.

11. Confirmation of the presence of an inhibitor 

and quantification of the titre is performed in 

the laboratory, preferably using the Nijmegen-

modified Bethesda assay (see ‘Inhibitor testing’, 

on page 32). (Level 1) [59,60]


GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF HEMOPHILIA

60

12. For children, inhibitors should be screened 



once every five exposure days until 20 expo-

sure days, every 10 exposure days between 21 

and 50 exposure days, and at least two times 

a year until 150 exposure days. (Level 5) [61] 

13. For adults with more than 150 exposure days, 



apart from a 6-12 monthly review, any failure to 

respond to adequate factor concentrate replace-

ment therapy in a previously responsive patient 

is an indication to assess for an inhibitor. (Level 

3) [56,62-64]

14. Inhibitor measurement should also be done in 



all patients who have been intensively treated 

for more than five days, within four weeks of 

the last infusion. (Level 4) [63,65] 

15. Inhibitors should also be assessed prior to 



surgery or if recovery assays are not as expected, 

and when clinical response to treatment of 

bleeding is sub-optimal in the post-operative 

period. (Level 2) [53,63,66]

16. A low responding inhibitor is defined as an inhib-

itor level that is persistently < 5 BU/ml, whereas 

a high responding inhibitor is defined by a level 

≥ 5 BU/ml.

17. High responding inhibitors tend to be persis-

tent. If not treated for a long period, titre levels 

may fall or even become undetectable, but there 

will be a recurrent anamnestic response in three 

to five days when challenged again with specific 

factor products. 

18. Some low titre inhibitors may be transient, 

disappearing within six months of initial docu-

mentation, despite recent antigenic challenge 

with factor concentrate.

19. Very low titre inhibitors may not be detected 

by the Bethesda inhibitor assay, but by a poor 

recovery and/or shortened half-life (T-1/2) 

following clotting factor infusions. 

Management of bleeding 

1.  Management of bleeding in patients with inhib-



itors must be in consultation with a centre 

experienced in their management. (Level 5) 

[63,67]

2.  Choice of treatment product should be based on 



titre of inhibitor, records of clinical response to 

product, and site and nature of bleed. (Level 4) 

[63,68]

3.  Patients with a low-responding inhibitor may 



be treated with specific factor replacement at 

a much higher dose, if possible, to neutralize 

the inhibitor with excess factor activity and 

stop bleeding. (Level 4) [63,68]

4.  Patients with a history of a high responding 



inhibitor but with low titres may be treated 

similarly in an emergency until an anamnestic 

response occurs, usually in three to five days, 

precluding further treatment with concentrates 

that only contain the missing factor. (Level 4) 

[63,68]

5.  Porcine factor VIII prepared from the plasma 

of pigs has been effective in halting bleeding in 

some patients. The plasma-derived preparation 

is being superceded by a recombinant porcine 

factor VIII concentrate currently in clinical trials.

6.  With an inhibitor level > 5 BU, the likelihood is 

low that specific factor replacement will be effec-

tive in overwhelming the inhibitor without ultra 

high dose continuous infusion therapy. 

7.  Alternative agents include bypassing agents 

such as recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and 

prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC), 

including the activated forms (APCC). 

8.  The efficacy of two doses of rFVIIa and one dose 


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