Total knee arthroplasty in hemophiliacs: gains in range of motion realized beyond twelve months postoperatively.
BACKGROUND
Hemophiliacs have extrinsic tightness from quadriceps and flexion contractures. We sought to examine the effect of a focused physical therapy regimen geared to hemophilic total knee arthroplasty.


METHODS
Twenty-four knees undergoing intensive hemophiliac-specific physical therapy after total knee arthroplasty, at an average age of 46 years, were followed to an average 50 months.


RESULTS
For all patients, flexion contracture improved from -10.5 degrees preoperatively to -5.1 degrees at final follow-up (p = 0.02). Knees with preoperative flexion less than 90 degrees were compared to knees with preoperative flexion greater than 90 degrees. Patients with preoperative flexion less than 90 degrees experienced improved flexion (p = 0.02), along with improved arc range of motion (ROM) and decreased flexion contracture. For those patients with specific twelve-month and final follow-up data points, there was a significant gain in flexion between twelve months and final follow-up (p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Hemophiliacs with the poorest flexion benefited most from focused quadriceps stretching to a more functional length, with gains not usually seen in the osteoarthritic population. This data may challenge traditional views that ROM gains are not expected beyond 12-18 months.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, USA. atul.kamath@uphs.upenn.edu
Atul F
AF
Kamath
John G
JG
Horneff
Angela
A
Forsyth
Valdet
V
Nikci
Charles L
CL
Nelson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome