Angiographic findings and therapeutic embolization of late hemarthrosis after total joint arthroplasty

A Rare Complication of Robot-Assisted Total Knee Replacement: Spontaneous Recurrent Hemarthrosis and Its Management

Spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis following total knee replacement is a relatively rare complication. It requires a different and swift management plan compared to any other knee swelling. Presentation can vary from 2 months to 1.5 years, and it can lead to further complications, including a limited range of movement and severe stiffness, resulting in compromised functionality. Although etiology is not well understood, it can be due to instrumentation leading to direct vessel injury, including popliteal and geniculate arteries, arteriovenous fistula, and pseudoaneurysms. This case report aims to contribute to the early identification and management of this rare complication. We present a case involving the early onset of recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis following robot-assisted total knee replacement surgery.

Treating recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty with selective embolization: a cohort study of 56 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 Recurrent hemarthrosis (RH) is a rare late complication of knee arthroplasty, with an unknown etiology. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of arterial embolization (AE) on resolution of hemarthrosis following knee arthroplasty. Additionally, we investigated pain management requirements after the procedure and related complications.

METHODS

 56 patients underwent AE for recurrent hemarthrosis between 2015 and 2023. The prevalence of hemarthrosis was 0.6%. The median age of the patients was 70 years (range 42-88), with 41 females and 15 males. 70 embolizations were performed, consisting of 56 initial procedures and 14 repeat procedures. Clinical success was defined as the resolution of hemarthroses.

RESULTS

 Technical success was achieved in 93% of cases. Clinical success improved from 64% to 79% after the second treatment; subsequent sessions did not yield further improvement. 12 patients (21%) required 1 or more reoperations. The majority of patients (86%) relied solely on analgesics for post-treatment pain management. Complications occurred in 7% of treatments, most of which resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSION

 AE is effective in the treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis but 21% had reoccurance. Oral analgesics are generally sufficient for managing post-embolization pain. 7% had complications.

Predictive Variables for Interventional Angiography among Patients with Knee Hemarthrosis

Studies regarding the variables that could predict the success of conservative treatment for knee hemarthrosis are lacking. This retrospective study evaluated the laboratory variables of patients who had unsatisfactory results from conservative treatment for knee hemarthrosis. Twenty-nine patients conservatively treated for knee hemarthrosis were included and divided into two groups: group A comprised 14 patients who underwent interventional angiography and selective embolization due to failed conservative treatment, and group B comprised 15 patients with successful results after conservative treatment. The results of the serological and synovial fluid tests were evaluated. The mean number of synovial red blood cells (RBCs) was 1,905,857 cells/µL and 7730 cells/µL in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.01), while the mean number of RBCs per high-power field (HPF) was 68.9 and 3.2, respectively (p < 0.01). Patients who underwent interventional angiography and selective embolization after failed conservative treatment for knee hemarthrosis had higher synovial RBC counts and RBC counts per HPF than those with successful outcomes after conservative treatment. It is necessary to carefully interpret the results of the synovial fluid analysis in patients with knee hemarthrosis; if the synovial fluid analysis shows a synovial RBC count greater than 81,500 and RBC count per HPF greater than 16.3, we recommend immediate interventional angiography rather than continuing conservative treatment.

Selective Embolization Is Safe and Effective for Total Knee Arthroplasty-Associated Recurrent Hemarthroses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA)-associated hemarthroses are infrequent and often respond to nonoperative therapy. Geniculate artery embolization may provide symptomatic relief in cases recalcitrant to needle aspiration, although no meta-analysis exists regarding this therapy. This meta-analysis aims to assess the rate of symptom relief, the number of embolizations needed to achieve relief, and the rate of complications associated with embolization. Public databases were queried from 1998 until 2018 for TKA-associated recurrent hemarthroses treated with embolization. Eight studies met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Major complications were defined as those requiring readmission or nonelective reoperation; minor complications were defined as those not requiring readmission or reoperation. Pooled statistics were calculated utilizing the method of inverse variance. Fifty-nine patients with a mean follow-up of 30 months (range, 1-50 months) were evaluated. The pooled proportion of patients with symptom improvement following embolization was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74-93%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.97). The average number of embolization procedures was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.03-1.63, I ²: 0%, p = 0.66). The pooled proportion of patients who required a second embolization procedure was 26% (95% CI: 15-40%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.43), while those requiring three or more procedures was 13% (95% CI: 6-25%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.87). The rate of complications were as follows: any complication - 19% (95% CI: 11-32%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.81); major complications-8% (95% CI: 3-19%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.96); minor complications-18% (95% CI: 10-31%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.79); inguinal hematoma-9% (95% CI: 4-19%, I ²: 0%, p = 1.00); skin necrosis-15% (95% CI: 7-29%, I ²: 0%, p = 0.62); and incision breakdown-7% (95% CI: 3-17%, I ²: 0%, p = 1.00). Previous literature on selective artery embolization following TKA is relatively limited. This meta-analysis supports embolization as a potentially safe and effective treatment for recurrent hemarthroses after TKA. Other correctable causes of recurrent hemarthrosis, such as instability or malalignment, must be diligently ruled out prior to utilizing embolization. Surgeons should be aware of embolization's potential role in the postoperative period following TKA.

Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis successfully treated with selective embolization: A case report

Recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication. This usually occurs in osteoarthritis, but is relatively rare in rheumatoid arthritis. This is a report of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty in a rheumatoid arthritis patient. An 85-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis had received total knee arthroplasty without acute complications. At 6 months after surgery, the first hemarthrosis occurred and an initial conservative treatment failed. Contrast computed tomography showed prominent synovial enhancement in the superior lateral suprapatellar pouch. Selective catheterization revealed an abnormal hyperemic blush supplied from the branches of the superior lateral genicular artery. After embolization with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, abnormal staining of the synovium diminished and knee swelling and pain disappeared without complications. Selective embolization is favorable for successful treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Endovascular management of recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee: a case series

Background

Recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee is an uncommon but potentially debilitating occurrence with multiple etiologies, including previous total knee replacement. The purpose of this study is to present data of a group of patients undergoing angiography and embolization for recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee. Patient characteristics, angiographic findings, safety and efficacy of the procedure are reported.

Methods

A retrospective single centre review of patients undergoing angiography and embolization at a tertiary referral centre in Sydney, Australia from March 2006 to April 2018 was performed. A total of 25 patients undergoing a total of 29 procedures were identified (20 female, 5 male; mean age 67), the majority of which (23/25, 92%) had a history of total knee arthroplasty. Embolization was performed in 28 of the 29 procedures (97%). The embolic agent used was either polyvinyl alcohol particles (23/28), gelatin foam (3/28), detachable microcoils (1/28) or a combination of particles and coils (1/28).

Results

The most commonly identified dominant vascular abnormality was periarticular synovial hypervascularity (23/25, 92%). A pseudoaneurysm was demonstrated in two patients (8%). Technical success (elimination of angiographic abnormalities) was achieved in 27 of 29 procedures (93%). There were 6 episodes of recurrence (25%) following a single embolization procedure, three of which were managed successfully with repeat embolization. There were no complications relating to skin or periarticular ischemia.

Conclusion

Angiography and embolization is a safe and effective tool for the management of recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee following arthroplasty and should be considered first line treatment following failure of conservative management.

Level of evidence

Level 4, Case Series.

Geniculate Artery Embolization in Patients With Recurrent Hemarthrosis After Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty is an uncommon and disabling complication of this frequently performed procedure. Selective endovascular embolization of the geniculate arteries is one of the therapeutic options to manage this complication. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of this treatment in patients suffering from recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of 31 patients (39 embolization procedures) with recurrent hemarthrosis after knee arthroplasty. There were 17 men and 14 women with a median age of 67 years (range 48-90). All patients were referred for geniculate artery embolization between January 2007 and November 2016.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven procedures were executed on the right side and 12 on the left side. Total knee arthroplasty was performed on 29 patients, only 2 patients underwent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Embolization of the superior geniculate arteries was achieved in all patients. In 12 of 39 procedures (31%), at least 1 of the inferior geniculate arteries could not be catheterized, therefore embolization was achieved through collaterals. Symptomatic improvement was observed in 26 of 31 patients (84%). Discomfort or mild postprocedural pain was observed in most patients, needing only minor pain medication, mostly resolving within 24 hours. Two patients presented with a severe complication: a 48-year-old male patient developed septic arthritis and an 85-year-old hypertensive female patient treated with anticoagulants showed aseptic necrosis of the femoral condyles.

CONCLUSION

Embolization of geniculate arteries is a safe and effective treatment in recurrent hemarthrosis post knee arthroplasty. Clinical improvement was seen in most patients.

Spontaneous Recurrent Hemarthrosis Post Total Knee Arthroplasty Treated with Selective Embolization - A Case Report and Review of Literature

Introduction

Spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee following a total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication with varying time of onset from 2 months to 18 years. It needs a prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications of stiffness, chronic pain, and limited function. We present a case of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis presenting at 3 months following a total knee arthroplasty with a follow-up to 1 year.

Case Report

A 66-year-old male presented at 3 months following a right total knee arthroplasty with a history of increased pain and swelling of the knee joint. Initially, he was treated with anti-inflammatories when the pain and swelling recurred, an aspiration demonstrated hemarthrosis of the knee. Further evaluation demonstrated no infection, a femoral angiography demonstrated prominence of medial superior and inferior geniculate arteries with a tumor blush appearance. Therapeutic embolization of both the arteries resulted in complete resolution of the symptoms in 1 month with return of full knee function. At the end of 1-year follow-up, the patient had return of full knee function with no pain and no recurrence.

Conclusion

An algorithmic approach is helpful in identifying the etiology of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of knee and a course of conservative treatment should always be the first line of treatment. Angiography and selective arterial embolization of the geniculate arteries can be an effective treatment in the management of recurrent spontaneous hemarthrosis.

Treatment of Recurrent Hemarthrosis after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence and treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee replacement (TKR).

Materials and Methods

Among a total of 5,510 patients who underwent TKR from March 2000 to October 2016, patients who had two or more bleeding 2 weeks after surgery were studied. Conservative treatments were performed for all cases with symptoms. In patients who did not respond to conservative treatment several times, embolization was performed. We retrospectively evaluated the postoperative bleeding time, bleeding frequency, treatment method, and outcome.

Results

Seventeen (0.3%) of the 5,510 patients developed recurrent hemarthrosis. Bleeding occurred at an average of 2 years 3 months after the operation. Joint aspiration was performed 3.5 times (range, 2 to 10 times) on average, and 14 cases (82.3%) were treated with conservative treatment. In 3 patients with severe bleeding and hemorrhage, embolization was performed.

Conclusions

Recurrent hemarthrosis after TKR is a rare disease with a low incidence of 0.3% and usually could be treated by conservative treatment. If recurrences occur repeatedly, embolization through angiography or surgical treatment may be considered, but the results are not satisfactory and careful selection of treatment modalities is warranted.

Is Embolization an Effective Treatment for Recurrent Hemorrhage After Hip or Knee Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous recurrent hemorrhage after arthroplasty of the hip or knee is a rare condition. In patients who do not have coagulopathy, the likeliest etiology for hemarthrosis is hypertrophic vascular synovium. Treatments include arthroscopic or open synovectomy, or angiography with embolization; however, because the condition is rare, seldom reported, and debilitating, small case series characterizing the efficacy of any approach are important to allow a collective experience with this condition to emerge.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We attempted to (1) determine whether angiography with embolization can prevent recurrent hemarthrosis after hip or knee arthroplasty in a small series of patients with or without coagulopathy, and (2) evaluate complications associated with this intervention.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2014, seven patients presented with spontaneous, recurrent hemarthroses. One patient had polycythemia vera and factor XIII deficiency as underlying illnesses. All patients were treated with selective transarterial embolization, and all had followup at a minimum of 12 months (range, 12-102 months; median, 74 months). Other treatments during this time included hematoma removals and flap operations in one patient, and indications for transarterial embolization included recurrent hemarthrosis. The patients included six men and one woman with a median age of 72 years (range, 61-78 years). Five patients underwent one or more reoperations before transarterial embolization. A diagnostic workup for coagulopathy was performed in all patients; one patient was identified to have polycythemia ruba vera and factor XIII deficiency, however the patient still was treated with transarterial embolization because it was perceived to be the least invasive of available options. No other patients had a diagnosis of coagulopathy. Angiography showed hypervascularity in all patients and a contrast agent showed extravasation in two. Selective transarterial embolization of branches of the internal iliac artery, common femoral artery, deep femoral artery, or the popliteal artery was performed with polyvinyl alcohol particles, microspheres, and/or coils. Patients were followed clinically during 12 to 102 months (median, 74 months) to determine whether the hemorrhages recurred.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in all patients. No procedure-related complications were reported. On followup, recurrent hemorrhage was reported in one patient who had a diagnosis of coagulopathy before the procedure. He underwent three reinterventions and five reoperations. Three months after initial embolization, a flap procedure was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

In a small series of patients with a minimum followup of 1 year, we found selective transarterial embolization to be effective in patients without underlying coagulopathy in preventing recurrences of spontaneous recurrent hematoma or hemarthrosis of the hip and the knee. This condition is rare, therefore comparative trials are unlikely to be done. Because transarterial embolization is relatively low risk and generally well tolerated, we consider it to be a reasonable approach for consideration with other options such as arthroscopic or open synovectomy and revision arthroplasty.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study.

Endovascular embolisation is a successful and safe treatment for post-operative arterial complications after total hip arthroplasty and revision surgery

PURPOSE

Arterial complications are rare but clinically critical during or following total hip arthroplasty (THA) surgery. They usually require secondary interventions, either through open or endovascular approaches. In a retrospective study, we analysed indications for, as well as success and safety of, endovascular embolisation for arterial complications after THA.

METHODS

We reviewed all arterial complications that had occurred through THA surgery and been treated by endovascular embolisation. We analysed angiographic findings, endovascular treatment, location in relation to the surgical approach and success of the interventions.

RESULTS

Between 1997 and 2013 we performed 3,891 THAs at our hospital. We identified 14 patients with acute arterial complications treated by minimally invasive endovascular embolisation. Clinical findings included swelling of the ipsilateral leg, pain, prolonged wound bleeding, decreased haemoglobin and/or haemodynamic instability. Angiography revealed pseudoaneurysm in 11 patients, arteriovenous fistulas in two and extravasation of contrast media in one. Two patients showed no signs of acute bleeding. Twelve patients were treated, each with a single session of endovascular embolisation; in two additional patients, the haematoma was evacuated. No complications from the endovascular treatment were observed in this series.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular embolisation is a safe and successful minimally-invasive method to treat arterial injuries occurring through THA. Therefore, it should be considered as a first-line option of treatment for those injuries.

Hemophilic chronic synovitis: therapy of hemarthrosis using endovascular embolization of knee and elbow arteries

PURPOSE

Congenital hemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder that affects 1 in 5,000 males and is characterized by repetitive musculoskeletal bleeding episodes. Selective embolization of the knee and elbow arteries can prevent bleeding episodes. To evaluate the long-term efficacy of these procedures, we assessed the outcomes of 30 procedures performed in our center.

METHODS

We performed 30 procedures in 27 hemophilic patients, including 23 knee, and 7 elbow procedures. To evaluate the efficacy of selective embolization of knee and elbow arteries in people with hemophilia, we analyzed the number of bleeding episodes during 12 months before the procedure compared with the amount of episodes that occurred 3, 6, and 12 months after embolization.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine of 30 procedures were classified as successful. The median of 1.25 episodes per month (range 0-3) observed before the procedure was reduced to 0 (range 0-1.67; p < 0.001) at 3 months, 0.17 (range 0-1.67; p < 0.001) at 6 months, and 0.33 (range 0-1.67; p = 0.024) at 12 months. Three patients remained free of bleeding events for more than 6 months. Additionally, after the procedure there was a significant reduction in factor FVIII usage that sustained up to 12 months after the procedures. No serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective angiographic embolization of knee and elbow arteries is a feasible procedure that can prevent repetitive bleedings, which would translate in better joint outcomes for these patients.

Magnetic resonance angiography in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty

Spontaneous hemarthrosis is an infrequent but disabling complication after total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate the utility of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the evaluation of hemarthrosis after total knee arthroplasty. Patients presenting with hemarthrosis unexplained by trauma, anticoagulation, or a bleeding diathesis were retrospectively identified. Eighteen patients were referred for MRA to evaluate recurrent hemarthrosis after failing conservative therapy (n = 16) or synovectomy (n = 2). Despite artifact caused by the metallic components, diagnostic evaluation of regional vessels was made. In 12 of 13 cases that underwent embolization or synovectomy, a hypertrophic feeding artery (or arteries) was visualized on MRA. One case of negative MRA did not have subsequent surgery, and we are unable to comment on the rate of false-positives because all patients in this case series had evidence of bleeding. By characterizing the vascular anatomy and identifying a dominant artery (or arteries) supplying the hypervascular synovium, MRA can serve as a guide for subsequent embolization or synovectomy, as indicated.

Embolisation for vascular injuries complicating elective orthopaedic surgery

OBJECTIVES

The study aims to present the indications and emphasise the role of embolisation for vascular injuries in orthopaedic surgery.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with vascular injuries complicating elective orthopaedic surgery had embolisation from 2003 to 2010. N-2-butyl cyano-acrylate (NBCA) was used as embolic agent in 28 patients, gelatin sponge in three and coil embolisation in addition to NBCA or gelatin sponge in two patients. The mean follow-up period was 37 months (range, 4-96 months).

RESULTS

The most common orthopaedic operations associated with vascular injuries amenable to embolisation were hip-joint procedures; and the most common injuries were arterial tears of branch vessels or non-critical axial vessels, most commonly of the superior glutaeal artery. In all cases, angiography showed the bleeding point, and a single embolisation session effectively stopped bleeding. Embolisation-related complications were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Embolisation should be considered the treatment of choice for vascular injuries of branch vessels or non-critical axial vessels following elective orthopaedic surgery because of the advantages of minimally invasive therapy and the lack of complications.

Recurrent haemarthrosis following total knee replacement

Total knee replacement is a well-established treatment for osteoarthritis with increasing numbers performed each year. Recurrent haemarthrosis is a relatively rare complication following TKR being reported in up to 1.6% of patients. While some causes are related to direct trauma to blood vessels, others are more obscure and may be difficult to diagnose. The purpose of this review is to give an overview of this unusual complication and summarise the current methods of management.