PNF-based rehabilitation in patients with severe haemophilic arthropathy--case study.

Haemophilia is a congenital haemorrhagic diathesis that in its most severe form leads to a seriously disabling arthropathy as a result of recurring intraarticular bleeding. Within the last couple of years there have been significant advances in the treatment of haemophiliacs that are helping to prevent crippling musculoskeletal deformities, but a relatively large number of young adults still present with advanced arthropathic changes when treatment was started too late or has failed to prevent changes from taking place. We present the case of a 44-year-old male with advanced haemophilic arthropathy of the knee and ankle joints, who, during 8 weeks of therapy that consisted of physical therapy and rehabilitation using PNF techniques (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), achieved mobility improvement according to the SPPB scale (Short Physical Performance Battery Test) and a reduction of pain in the knee and ankle joints, according to a VAS scale. The therapeutic regimen proved to be an effective method improving the locomotor function of the patient.