Physical therapy for end-stage hemophilic arthropathy: a case report

This report introduces a young adult who has been in bed for more than ten years with end-stage hemophilic arthropathy. He didn’t have access to factor VIII (FVIII) in the early stage of hemophilia due to the high costs of clotting replacement therapy. As a result, he is experiencing some difficulties, such as joint contracture, muscular atrophy, severe pain, and poor function of cardiopulmonary. He came to visit us for a comprehensive rehabilitation program, and, finally, he achieved the basic goal of self-care in daily life. Hemophilic arthropathy is a permanent joint disorder, particularly in hemophilia patients suffering from frequent and repetitive hemarthrosis. During the course of 20–40 years, more than half of the people diagnosed with hemophilia will eventually develop a severe form of it, with muscle atrophy, joint contracture, and limited functional activities. If conservative management fails, surgical options should be considered, including arthroscopic synovectomy, open synovectomy, and total joint arthroplasty. It puts a heavy burden on the family and society.