Synoviorthesis induced by rifampicin in hemophilic arthropathy: a report of 24 treated joints

Abstract

Intra-articular hemorrhage is the clinical hallmark of hemophilia. Synoviorthesis, the intra-articular injection of chemical or radioactive substances in order to produce fibrosis of the hypertrophied synovium, has proved effective in the treatment of chronic hemophilic synovitis. Between December 2006 and July 2007, we treated 21 patients with hemophilic arthropathy by synoviorthesis with rifampicin once a week. The procedures were performed on 14 knees, five elbows, four ankles, and one shoulder (24 joints and 113 injections). The mean age was 16.7 years (range, 7-49 years). According to the Fernandez-Palazzi classification, synoviorthesis was considered satisfactory (excellent or good) in 21 (87.5%) joints and unsatisfactory (fair or poor) in three (12.5%). A mean reduction of 6.3 bleeding episodes per month was obtained (P < 0.0001). The mean pain score was reduced from 2.62 (range, 2-3; SD, 0.49) before treatment to 0.79 (range, 0-2; SD, 0.65) after treatment. The mean World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) score was 5.45 (range, 2-8) before synoviorthesis and 3.5 (range, 1-7) after treatment. This method effectively reduced hemarthrosis and pain and also improved the range of motion in patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Chemical synoviorthesis with rifampicin appears to be efficient, inexpensive, and simple and also especially practical in developing countries where radioactive agents are not easily available.