Total knee arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia who are HIV-positive

Description: As a result of repeated episodes of articular bleeding from early childhood adult patients with haemophilia commonly have severe damage to the knee. They may present to the orthopaedic surgeon with pain and severe functional disability arising from advanced haemophilic arthropathy. There are many reports of successful operations on the knee in these patients including total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Further complications may arise in those who are also HIV-positive and there is controversy as to whether the benefits of TKA outweigh the higher level of risk.
Total knee arthroplasty in patients with haemophilia who are HIV-positive. Rodriguez-Merchan EC. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2002 Mar;84(2):170-2.