Clinical, Functional and Musculoskeletal Differences Between Adult Patients With Hemophilia and Their Healthy Peers

Analysis of Clinical, Functional and Musculoskeletal Variables Between Adult Patients With Hemophilic Arthropathy of the Knee and Ankle and Their Healthy Peers. A Case-control Study

Background. Hemophilia is characterized by the development of a progressive, degenerative, intra-articular lesion (hemophilic arthropathy). This arthropathy presents with chronic pain, limited range of motion, axial changes, and periarticular muscle atrophy.

Goal. To analyze the clonic, functional and musculoskeletal differences between adult patients with hemophilic arthropathy of the knee and ankle and their healthy peers.

Study design. Cases and controls study patients. 21 patients with hemophilia A and B and 21 subjects without joint damage.

Variables and measuring instruments: pressure pain threshold (pressure algometer); joint status (Hemophilia Joint Health Score scale); and strength (dynamometry) and muscle activation (surface electromyography).

Expected results. Observe the differences between patients with knee and ankle arthropathy and their healthy peers in muscle strength and activation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients diagnosed with hemophilia A and B.
• Over 18 years
• With medical diagnosis of knee arthropathy
• With clinical evaluation by Hemophilia Joint Health Score
• In prophylactic treatment or on demand with FVIII / FIX concentrates for coagulation.
• Healthy subjects must meet knee joint health criteria; over 18 years; and no previous knee or ankle injuries in the 6 months prior to evaluation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with neurological or cognitive disorders that prevent the understanding of physical tests
• Not having signed the informed consent document