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Haemophilic arthropathy

Case contributed by Ian Bickle
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Young male with long history of hemophilia. Right elbow pain and stiffness.

Patient Data

Age: 29
Gender: Male
x-ray

Expansion of the radial head.

Almost complete loss of joint space.   Subchondral sclerosis and cystic change.

No joint effusion.

Case Discussion

Haemophilic arthropathy refers to permanent joint disease occurring in hemophiliacs as a long-term consequence of repeated haemarthroses.

The knee is the commonest site, but other joints, such as the elbow may be involved.

Many of the features are those due to early secondary degenerative change, such as joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis and subchondral cysts.

Others are more specific such as widening of the intracondylar notch in the knee or in the elbow, such as this case, enlargement of the radial head.

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