title: Our experience with orthopedic surgery in hemophiliacs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients having severe hemophilia (levels of deficient factor below 1%) frequently suffer from disabling chronic arthropathy. An adequate substitution treatment using the coagulation factor VIII or IX concentrates renders an elective surgery feasible.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to check the results of different surgical procedures in the treatment of hemophilic arthropathies, and to propose the best protocol of their treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study on 26 hemophilic patients operated in the Orthopedics and Trauma Clinic II, Timişoara, from 2002 to 2005. Elective surgical procedures were mainly performed in the knee (21 arthroscopic procedures, 1 open arthrodesis), elbow (2 open synovectomies, 2 radial head excisions), ankle (1 arthroscopic synovectomy and debridement) and thigh (1 giant pseudo tumor excision, other minor procedures). The results after operations on moderate and severe chronic knee, elbow and ankle arthropathy were evaluated, with approximately 24-month follow-up period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Arthroscopic procedures (22) yielded good and satisfactory results with significant improvement according to the evaluation criteria recommended by the World Hemophilia Federation (Gilbert clinical score, Pettersson radiological score, Nuss MRI score).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mini-invasive elective surgery in moderate to severe chronic arthropathy produces good results when performed in a specialized centre and with multi-disciplinary approach.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics and Trauma Clinic II, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Dan V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Poenaru
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serban
authors.forename: Ioan L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Branea
authors.forename: Jenel M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pătraşcu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods