Thirteen total knee replacements of the semiconstrained type were
performed in ten patients with classic hemophilia (factor-VIII deficiency)
and followed for two to six and one-half years. The average age at
operation was twenty-seven years. Preoperatively, all patients complained
of severe pain and were markedly disabled: five required wheelchairs and
five needed crutches to walk. All patients had declared themselves willing
to accept arthrodesis as the only surgical alternative. The results of the
total knee arthroplasties, as determined by a standard knee-scoring system,
were four knees rated as excellent or good and eight rated as fair. The
thirteenth knee required an arthrodesis after a deep infection and was
rated as a failure. Pain and function were markedly improved, and no
patient required a wheelchair postoperatively. Although the postoperative
knee motion was only slightly improved, it was in a range that meant a more
functional knee. Postoperative complications included intra-articular or
intramuscular bleeding in three patients and one posterior tibial and three
peroneal-nerve palsies, one of which still was not completely resolved at
the time of writing. Total knee arthroplasty in hemophilia appears to be a
satisfactory procedure for reconstruction of the severely damaged knee when
arthrodesis is the only other acceptable alternative.