A case of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis for hemophilic arthropathy of the bilateral ankles

INTRODUCTION: Hemophilic arthropathy can affect multiple joints including ankle. However, only one report has been published regarding both arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with hemophilic arthropathy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient was a 23-year-old man with hemophilia A and a 3-year history of recurrent hemarthrosis in both ankles. We undertook surgery to treat arthropathy. His left ankle was treated first and the right ankle 6 months later. In both ankles, the cartilage was worn and eburnated. The remaining cartilage was removed and more dimples were created to fuse the tibia and talus. The ankle was fixed using 3 cannulated screws. Postoperatively, the patient wore an immobilization cast with no weight-bearing for 2 weeks. Thereafter, weight-bearing was allowed and the cast was removed 4 weeks after surgery. DISCUSSION: At the 1-year follow-up, bony union was satisfactory, functional outcome was acceptable, and pain relief was good. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot ankle-hindfoot scale score increased from 24 preoperatively to 87 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We report successful treatment with arthroscopic arthrodesis in a case of hemophilic arthropathy in both ankles.