Hemophilic arthropathy in a patient with multi-joint replacement: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Hemophilic arthropathy (HA) is a crucial morbidity and a major cause of joint pain and disability in patients with hemophilia A. Surgical methods, such as total joint arthroplasty, are of vital importance for end-stage HA treatment, but the feasibility and effects of multi-joint replacement surgery remain debatable. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 24-year-old patient with advanced HA presented multiple joint pain. Physical examination revealed joint tenderness, swelling, and limited activity. Radiographs revealed bilateral knee joints and left elbow joint damage with joint space narrowing, articular facet erosion, and bone deformation. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with hemophilic arthropathy with multi-joint lesions. INTERVENTIONS: The key points of this case include arthropathy in multiple joints and the management of simultaneous total multi-joint arthroplasty. We performed bilateral total knee arthroplasty and total left elbow arthroplasty simultaneously after adequate preparations. Special attention was paid to factor VIII infusion, hemorrhage control, and other safety precautions perioperatively. OUTCOMES: After the surgery, no complications, such as infection or aseptic loosening, occurred, and the joints functioned well at follow-up. LESSONS: The surgical outcome and safety of multi-joint replacement for HA are attested. Simultaneous multi-joint arthroplasty can ameliorate the quality of life for patients with hemophilia A.