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Hemarthrosis is bleeding in the joints, often caused by injury or bleeding disorders. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include rest, medication, surgery, or joint replacement.
Hemarthrosis is the medical term for bleeding in the joints and is one of the most common causes of joint pain and swelling. The condition typically occurs following an injury to the joint, although it can occur spontaneously in patients with hemophilia. Individuals taking blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin are also prone to developing hemarthrosis.
Other causes of hemarthrosis include osteoarthritis, vascular damage, and tumors. Patients with bleeding disorders are more likely to bleed into joint spaces, but the condition occurs more frequently after some type of joint trauma. Individuals with osteoarthritis often develop hemarthrosis after a knee joint arthroplasty, a surgical procedure in which the joint surface is replaced, reshaped, or realigned.
Symptoms include severe pain and swelling in the affected joint and excessive bruising and broken blood vessels around the joint. Diagnosing the condition usually begins with a physical exam and may also include joint aspiration and X-rays. Joint aspiration is a process in which fluid is collected from the joint capsule through a syringe. If the collected fluid is abnormal or appears red, pink, or brown in color, the patient is typically diagnosed with the condition.
The condition can be treated, although treatment depends on the underlying cause. In mild cases of hemarthrosis, rest and the use of crutches or a sling may be effective in stopping the bleeding and reducing symptoms. If the problem is caused by hemophilia or other bleeding disorders, these will be treated with intravenous clotting agents, prescription drugs, or even gene therapy. In most cases, once the underlying disorder is treated, bleeding into the joint will cease to be a problem.
Whether the problem is caused by arthritis or unknown factors, a doctor can choose several treatment options. Removal of the joint lining, also known as a synovectomy, can be used to treat the condition. If this treatment is impractical or ineffective, an osteotomy may be performed. An osteotomy is the removal of a bone wedge near the affected joint to force a shift of weight away from the damaged area.
In extreme cases, complete joint replacement may be required. Joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which the whole joint or part of the joint is replaced with an artificial surface. Physical therapy may be needed after treatment to allow the joint to move smoothly, and medications may be needed to prevent further bleeding into the joint.
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