A prospective series of musculoskeletal system rehabilitation of arthropathic joints in young male hemophilic patients

3D gait analysis, haemophilia joint health score, leg muscle laterality and biomarkers of joint damage: A cross-sectional comparative assessment of haemophilic arthropathy

Introduction

3D gait analysis has been proposed as a reproducible and valid method to assess abnormal gait patterns and to monitor disease progression in patients with haemophilia (PWH).

Aim

This study aimed at comparing Gait Deviation Index (GDI) between adult PWH and healthy controls, and at assessing the agreement between outcome measures of haemophilic arthropathy.

Methods

Male PWH aged 18‐49 years (prespecified subgroups: 18‐25 vs 26‐49 years) on prophylactic replacement therapy, and male healthy age‐matched controls passed through a cross‐sectional assessment panel. Besides the 3D gait analysis derived GDI, secondary outcomes included kinematic, kinetic and spatio‐temporal gait parameters, the Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS), electric impedance derived leg muscle laterality and inflammatory biomarkers.

Results

Patients with haemophilia (n = 18) walked slower, in shorter steps and accordingly with less functional range of motion in the hips and ankles, as compared to healthy controls (n = 24). Overall, PWH did not differ significantly in GDI and specific gait parameters. PWH had a higher mean HJHS (18.8 vs 2.6, P = .000) and leg muscle laterality (4.3% vs 1.5%, P = .004). A subgroup analysis revealed progressed gait pathology in PWH aged 26‐49 years (not statistically significant). Leg muscle laterality was strongly correlated with HJHS (r = .76, P = .000), whereas GDI just moderately (r = −.39, P = .110). PWH had higher levels of the inflammatory markers CRP and IL‐6.

Conclusion

Progressed gait pathology was found in PWH, mainly those aged 26‐49 years. Leg muscle laterality correlated strongly with HJHS and was identified as a promising tool for detecting progression and physiological consequences of haemophilic joint arthropathy.

Manual and educational therapy in the treatment of hemophilic arthropathy of the elbow: a randomized pilot study

Background

Elbow arthropathy is characteristic in patients with hemophilia. Arthropathy is manifested by decreased range of motion, pain, loss of strength and muscular atrophy, and axial changes. The objective is to evaluate the safety of two physiotherapy programs combining manual therapy and home exercises with educational sessions in patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy.

Methods

This is a randomized study with 27 patients with elbow hemophilic arthropathy with a mean age of 34.48 (SD: 12.99) years, were randomised to Manual Therapy group, educational group and control group. The physiotherapy programmes were: manual therapy through joint traction, passive muscles stretching and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation; and educational sessions and daily home exercises. The study lasted for twelve weeks, with two sessions a week in manual therapy group and one session every two weeks with daily home exercises in educational group. The variables measured were range of motion of elbow, biceps strength, circumference of arm, and elbow pain.

Results

The treatment with manual therapy improved the circumference of arm, flexion elbow and elbow pain. Six months later, MT group still enjoyed improved. In the educational group there were improvements, but not significant, in the measured variables.

Conclusion

Neither of the two physiotherapy interventions caused elbow hemarthrosis. The treatment with manual therapy improved the range of movement and circumference of arm, and lessened pain in hemophilic patients with chronic elbow arthropathy. No hemarthrosis was recorded during treatment or during the follow-up period. Larger randomized clinical trials are required to confirm the results of this study.

Trial registration

(NCT02198040). Registered 22 July 2014, retrospectively registered.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-018-0884-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of late prophylaxis in hemophilia on joint status: a randomized trial

Essentials High-quality data are lacking on use of prophylaxis in adults with hemophilia and arthropathy. SPINART was a 3-year randomized clinical trial of late/tertiary prophylaxis vs on-demand therapy. Prophylaxis improved function, quality of life, activity and pain but not joint structure by MRI. Prophylaxis improves function but must start before joint bleeding onset to prevent arthropathy.

SUMMARY

Background Limited data exist on the impact of prophylaxis on adults with severe hemophilia A and pre-existing joint disease. Objectives To describe 3-year bleeding, joint health and structure, health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and other outcomes from the open-label, randomized, multinational SPINART study. Patients/Methods Males aged 12-50 years with severe hemophilia A, ≥ 150 factor VIII exposure days, no inhibitors and no prophylaxis for > 12 consecutive months in the past 5 years were randomized to sucrose-formulated recombinant FVIII prophylaxis or on-demand therapy (OD). Data collected included total and joint bleeding events (BEs), joint structure (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), joint health (Colorado Adult Joint Assessment Scale [CAJAS]), HRQoL, pain, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), activity, and treatment satisfaction. Results Following 3 years of prophylaxis, adults maintained excellent adherence, with a 94% reduction in BEs despite severe pre-existing arthropathy; 35.7% and 76.2% of prophylaxis participants were bleed-free or had fewer than two BEs per year, respectively. As compared with OD, prophylaxis was associated with improved CAJAS scores (least squares [LS] mean, - 0.31 [n = 42] versus + 0.63 [n = 42]) and HAEMO-QoL-A scores (LS mean, + 3.98 [n = 41] versus - 6.00 [n = 42]), less chronic pain (50% decrease), and approximately two-fold less HRU; activity, Euro QoL-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L) scores and satisfaction scores also favored prophylaxis. However, MRI score changes were not different for prophylaxis versus OD (LS mean, + 0.79 [n = 41] versus + 0.96 [n = 38]). Conclusions Over a period of 3 years, prophylaxis versus OD in adults with severe hemophilia A and arthropathy led to decreased bleeding, pain, and HRU, better joint health, activity, satisfaction, and HRQoL, but no reduction in structural arthropathy progression, suggesting that pre-existing joint arthropathy may be irreversible.

Efficacy of pulsed high-intensity laser therapy on pain, functional capacity, and gait in children with haemophilic arthropathy

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pulsed high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pain, functional capacity, and gait in children with haemophilia.

METHODS

Thirty children with haemophilia type A with ages ranging from 9 to 13 years were selected for this study. They were assigned randomly, into two equal treatment groups. The laser group received the traditional physical therapy programme plus active laser (total energy of 1500 J through three phases/3 sessions/week), whereas the placebo group received the same physical therapy programme plus placebo laser over three consecutive months. Baseline and post-treatment assessments used the visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate pain, a 6-min walk test (6MWT) to evaluate functional capacity, and the GAITRite^® system to evaluate gait parameters.

RESULTS

Children in the laser group showed significant improvement in pain, functional capacity, and gait parameters compared to those in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Post-treatment functional capacity for the laser and placebo groups were 316.6 ± 35.27 and 288 ± 43.3 m, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HILT is an effective modality in reducing pain, increasing functional capacity, and improving gait performance in children with haemophilic arthropathy. Implications for Rehabilitation Haemophilic arthropathy due to recurrent joint bleeding leads to physical, psychological, and socioeconomic problems in children with haemophilia and reduces their quality of life. Early physiotherapeutic interventions help to prevent and treat the sequelae of recurrent haemarthrosis. High-intensity laser therapy has been introduced as non-invasive and an effective physiotherapy modality for rapid pain control, with consequent improvement in children's quality of life. High-intensity laser therapy should be used as an adjunct to exercise programme in the rehabilitation of children with haemophilic arthropathy.

A preliminary case series evaluating the safety and immediate to short-term clinical benefits of joint mobilization in hemophilic arthritis of the lower limb

OBJECTIVES

Arthritis resulting from recurrent intra-articular bleeding in individuals with hemophilia can be severely debilitating due to joint pain and stiffness with subsequent loss of mobility and function. Very limited studies have investigated the potential benefits of joint mobilization for this condition. This case series is a preliminary investigation of safety, as well as immediate and short-term clinical benefits, associated with gentle knee and ankle joint mobilization in people with hemophilic arthropathy.

METHODS

A single intervention of joint mobilization was applied to the affected knees and/or ankles of 16 individuals with severe or moderate hemophilia within a public hospital setting. Adverse events, as well as immediate (pain-free passive joint range, Timed Up and Go Test with maximum pain numerical rating scale) and short-term (Lower Extremity Functional Scale) effects of the intervention were evaluated with a repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS

There were no adverse events. An immediate significant increase was observed in pain-free passive ankle joint range of motion (p < 0.05) following the joint mobilization intervention.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this case series suggest that gentle joint mobilization techniques may be safely considered as part of a multimodal management approach for hemophilic arthropathy.

Gait analysis in children with haemophilia: first Italian experience at the Turin Haemophilia Centre

AIM

To investigate the functional status in haemophilia patients referred to an Italian paediatric haemophilia centre using gait analysis, verifying any differences between mild, moderate or severe haemophilia at a functional level.

METHODS

Forty-two patients (age 4-18) presenting to the Turin Paediatric Haemophilia Centre who could walk independently were included. Therapy included prophylaxis (n = 21), on-demand (n = 17) or immune tolerance induction + inhibitor (n = 4). Patients performed a test of gait analysis. Temporal, spatial and kinematic parameters were calculated for patient subgroups by disease severity and background treatment, and compared with normal values.

RESULTS

Moderate (35.7%) or severe (64.3%) haemophilia patients showed obvious variations from normal across a variety of temporal and spatial gait analysis parameters, including step speed and length, double support, swing phase, load asymmetry, stance phase, swing phase and speed. Kinematic parameters were characterized by frequent foot external rotation with deficient plantar flexion during the stance phase, retropelvic tilt, impaired power generation distally and reduced ground reaction forces. Both Gait Deviation Index and Gait Profile Score values for severe haemophilia patients indicated abnormal gait parameters, which were worst in patients with a history of past or current use of inhibitors and those receiving on-demand therapy.

CONCLUSION

Functional evaluation identified changes in gait pattern in patients with severe and moderate haemophilia, compared with normal values. Gait analysis may be a useful tool to facilitate early diagnosis of joint damage, prevent haemophilic arthropathy, design a personalized rehabilitative treatment and monitor functional status over time.

LASER versus electromagnetic field in treatment of hemarthrosis in children with hemophilia

Children with hemophilia usually have recurrent joint bleeding that leads to joint damage, loss of range of motion, and restriction of mobility, therefore affecting the quality of life in these children. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to that of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in treatment of hemarthrosis in children with hemophilia. Thirty boys with hemophilia A with ages ranging from 9 to 13 years were selected and assigned randomly, using sealed envelopes, into two equal intervention groups. The study group I received the traditional physical therapy program in addition to LLLT, whereas the study group II received the same physical therapy program given to the study group I in addition to PEMF. Both groups received the treatment sessions three times per week for three successive months. Pain, laboratory investigations, swelling, and range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee joint, in addition to physical fitness were evaluated before, at the end of the sixth week and at 12 weeks of the treatment program. Laser group showed significant improvement in all measured variables after the sixth week of treatment when compared with PEMF. By 12 weeks of treatment, there was a significant improvement in pain, ROM, ESR and leucocytes levels in laser group compared with PEMF, while there was no significant difference in knee circumferences and the 6-min walk test (6MWT) between both groups. Both groups showed significant improvement at 12 weeks of treatment compared with that at 6 weeks. Both LLLT and PEMF are effective modalities in reducing pain, swelling, increasing ROM and improving physical fitness. Twelve weeks of treatment of both modalities demonstrated significant improvement than 6 weeks of treatment. Laser therapy induced significant improvement than electromagnetic therapy in treatment of hemarthrosis-related problems in children with hemophilia.

Managing haemophilia for life: 4th Haemophilia Global Summit

The 4th Haemophilia Global Summit was held in Potsdam, Germany, in September 2013 and brought together an international faculty of haemophilia experts and delegates from multidisciplinary backgrounds. The programme was designed by an independent Scientific Steering Committee of haemophilia experts and explored global perspectives in haemophilia care, discussing practical approaches to the optimal management of haemophilia now and in the future. The topics outlined in this supplement were selected by the Scientific Steering Committee for their relevance and potential to influence haemophilia care globally. In this supplement from the meeting, Jan Astermark reviews current understanding of risk factors for the development of inhibitory antibodies and discusses whether this risk can be modulated and minimized. Factors key to the improvement of joint health in people with haemophilia are explored, with Carlo Martinoli and Víctor Jiménez-Yuste discussing the utility of ultrasound for the early detection of haemophilic arthropathy. Other aspects of care necessary for the prevention and management of joint disease in people with haemophilia are outlined by Thomas Hilberg and Sébastian Lobet, who highlight the therapeutic benefits of physiotherapy and sports therapy. Riitta Lassila and Carlo-Federico Perno describe current knowledge surrounding the risk of transmission of infectious agents via clotting factor concentrates. Finally, different types of extended half-life technology are evaluated by Mike Laffan, with a focus on the practicalities and challenges associated with these products.

Effectiveness of two modalities of physiotherapy in the treatment of haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle: a randomized pilot study

Although different techniques of physiotherapy have been described for the treatment of haemophilic arthropathy (HA) of ankle, hardly any studies have been applied manual therapy or educational physiotherapy and home exercises. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of manual therapy and educational physiotherapy in the treatment of HA of the ankle. Thirty-one patients with HA of the ankle with a mean age of 35.29 (SD: 12.877) years randomized to manual therapy group (n = 11), educational group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). The two physiotherapy programmes were one with manual therapy articular traction, passive stretching of the gastrocnemius muscles, and exercises for muscle strength and proprioception (MT group) and the other with educational sessions and home exercises (E group). The study lasted for 12 weeks. The treatment with manual therapy improved the gastrocnemius muscle circumference, and the pain of ankle (P < 0.05). Six months later, MT group still enjoyed improvement. In the educational group there were improvements, but not significant, in the measured variables. No patient had ankle haemarthrosis during the study. The treatment with manual therapy improved the circumference of gastrocnemius and lessened pain in the patients with haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle.

Physiotherapy treatment in patients with hemophilia and chronic ankle arthropathy: a systematic review

Haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle causes pain and deterioration in gait, causing disability. Although some physiotherapy modalities are effective in the management of acute bleeding, the results are unknown in chronic arthropathy. Our objective was to determine the most effective physiotherapy procedures for treating the haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle and to assess the methodological quality of the studies. A systematic review was carried out in the Cochrane Database, PubMed, MEDLINE, ISI Web of Knowledge, PEDro, TESEO, and specialized journals (Haemophilia and Haematologica). It included articles with at least one group undergoing any kind of physiotherapy treatment and with pretest and posttest evaluation, published before April 2013. An analysis of variables was performed and assessed the methodological quality of studies. Five studies met the criteria for inclusion. Hydrotherapy treatments, strength training and balance strength, balance training, and sports therapy, have improved range of movement, pain, balance, and subjective physical performance. The proposed methodological analysis was not possible due to the low quality of the studies. Although the results are positive, they lack rigorous evidence on the effects of treatments. Studies are needed to establish the efficacy of the various forms of physiotherapy in the haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle.

Interprosthetic humeral fracture revision using a tibial allograft total elbow prosthetic composite in a patient with hemophilia A : a case report

Introduction

Interprosthetic fractures of the humerus are rare. Revisions of total elbow arthroplasty components in these cases are difficult. We report the first case of a patient with hemophilia who underwent a revision with a tibial allograft prosthetic composite without the need for hardware augmentation.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old Caucasian man with a history of hemophilia and transfusion-related human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C presented with an interprosthetic fracture of his humerus after months of pain between his total elbow and total shoulder arthroplasties. Because of the poor remaining bone stock available in his distal humerus, a revision using a barrel-staved tibial allograft prosthetic composite was performed. Our patients’ factor VIII level was optimized before the operation and he suffered no major long-term complications at 28 months. His only complication was an incomplete radial nerve palsy that ultimately recovered and left him with some numbness on the dorsum of his hand.

Conclusion

Careful use of an allograft prosthetic composite is a very reasonable option when a patient experiences an interprosthetic fracture. We have successfully performed revision total elbow arthroplasty for a patient with hemophilia with an interprosthetic fracture using a tibial allograft and no additional fixation, which resulted in his return to full activities of daily living, minimal pain and full incorporation of the allograft to host bone.

Outcomes in total elbow arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia at the University of California, San Francisco: a retrospective review

Severe haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow is a significant cause of morbidity among adults with haemophilia. However, previous reports of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) in the haemophilic population have been based on small numbers of patients with relatively short-term follow-up. The records of seven total elbow arthroplasties in six adult men with haemophilia at the University of California, San Francisco who underwent TEA over a period of 25 years were retrospectively reviewed. Type of haemophilia, age at time of TEA, HIV infection status, pre- and postoperative range-of-motion (ROM) scores, complications (including infections), need for subsequent surgical revision and functional outcomes were recorded. Four patients had severe factor VIII deficiency and two patients had severe factor IX deficiency. None of the patients had an inhibitor. The mean age at the time of surgery was 34 years (range, 22-46 years) and the mean follow-up period was 118 months (range, 37-176 months). One of the six patients had TEA in both elbows. Five of the six patients were infected with HIV. There were no immediate perioperative complications. At a mean of 19.2 months postoperatively, ROM had improved in five of seven TEAs: mean flexion had increased from 110.7° (SD = 15.0) to 120.1° (SD = 14.5), whereas mean preoperative extension increased from -44.3° (SD = 21.5) to -36.9° (SD = 27.0). One patient required a revision at 30 months because of ulnar component loosening. This same patient sustained a staph epidermidis infection and ultimate removal of the prosthesis 15 years postoperatively. At a mean of 118 months postoperatively, five of six patients continued to report reduced pain and preserved functionality, with ability to perform normal daily activities. TEA resulted in favourable results in six of seven procedures. Our findings support the viability of TEA for individuals with severe haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow, especially to reduce pain and preserve or restore functionality.