Radiosynoviorthesis in the treatment of posttraumatic joint bleedings of hemophilic patients (concerning hip, knee and ankle joints)-Hungarian experience.

INTRODUCTION

The surgical, arthroscopic synovectomy and radiosynovectomy (radiosynoviorthesis, RSO) all have great practical importance, since they can eliminate the posttraumatic joint bleedings and prevent the further joint destructions in hemophilic patients. The aim of this study was to examine the role of RSO in the prevention of joint bleedings in hemophilic patients.

METHODS

54 out of 684 RSO patients were hemophiliacs. Mean age of the patients was 32 years (range 14-51), therefore this is a relatively young patients' cohort. Radiosynovectomy was performed in 37 patients with hemophilia A and in 17 patients suffering from hemophilia B. Since hemophilia is a sex-linked (x-linked) recessive disorder, all of the patients were male. There was no acquired hemophiliac among the treated patients.

RESULTS

The RSO resulted in a 95% decline in bleedings per year and eliminated the incidence of further bleedings in 55% of the treated joints.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the view that radiosynoviorthesis can be considered as the first choice treatment for posttraumatic joint bleedings of hemophilic patients.