Scope Assisted Ankle Arthrodesis in a Young Male with Hemophilic Arthritis: A Case Study

CATEGORY: Ankle Arthritis; Arthroscopy INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Arthritis is a debilitating condition that negatively affects an individual's ability to carry out activities of daily living. While osteoarthritis is a term many have become familiar with, as it is the most common form of arthritis encountered, hemophilic arthritis is a condition not frequently seen or discussed. Hemophilia is a congenital bleeding disorder caused by the absence or decrease of clotting factor VIII (Hemophilia A) or XI (Hemophilia B). When severe, this X-linked disease commonly results in intra-articular bleeding which, can progress to joint destruction1-4. This subsequently leads to the progressive destruction of articular cartilage and bone6-7. METHODS: Arthroscopic assisted ankle arthrodesis with calcaneal autograft was performed. Calcaneal autograft was acquired through a small linear incision along the lateral wall of the calcaneus, a power graft harvester was introduced into the medullary bone to procure the graft. The left lower extremity was then placed into a non-invasive Gould Ankle distraction system and the standard anteromedial and anterolateral ankle scope portals were established. A scope and shaver were utilized to extensively debride all visualized hemorrhagic synovium. The shaver was then exchanged for a burr following debridement to remove the articular cartilage to both the talus and tibia. Following adequate preparation of the joint margins for fusion, the ankle joint was filled with the calcaneal autograft and rhPDGF-BB. RESULTS: Various treatments have been described for patients suffering from hemophilic arthritis. While the use of clotting factor concentrations (CFCs) may reduce the risk of hemarthrosis, the risk of bleeding cannot be completely avoided2. Arthroscopic or open synovectomies has been described to remove the pathogenic synovium. Chemical or radioisotopic synoviorthesis is an option for less severe cases, but the treatment of choice is joint fusion or arthrodesis for advanced stages of arthropathy3. CONCLUSION: In patients with hemophilia, regular replacement therapy with clotting factor concentrates (prophylaxis) is effective in preventing recurrent bleeding episodes into joints and muscles. However, despite this success, intra-articular and intramuscular bleeding is still a major clinical manifestation of the disease. The pathogenesis of hemophilic arthropathy is multifactorial, with changes occurring in the synovium, bone, cartilage, and blood vessels. Our case report presents a unique pathology and the successful outcome that can be accomplished through surgical intervention and a multidisciplinary treatment approach.