JOINT DEBRIDEMENT FOR HEMOPHILIC ARTHROPATHY OF THE KNEE

Joint debridement was performed for advanced haemophilic arthropathy o f the knee in eleven patients. Follow up was for an average of 5.4 yea rs and the results were evaluated retrospectively by the Hospital for Special Surgery disabilitY score sheet. The clinical results were exce llent in four, good in five and fair in two. Debridement should be con sidered in the young haemophiliac to avoid, or delay, total knee arthr oplasty. The operation may give the patient years of life without pain and it appears to slow the development of radiographic changes.