Exercise may decrease further destruction in the adult haemophilic joint

Haemophilia. 2006 May;12(3):237-40. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2006.01214.x.

Abstract

The effect of exercise on adult haemophilic joints was investigated. Forty-six subjects with existing joint disease were evaluated and range of motion (ROM) in joints was measured. The effect of exercise of large joint ROM in haemophilia was evaluated by comparing the ranges of motion in subjects who exercised at least three times weekly against those subjects who did not exercise. The exercise group showed improvement in the majority of joint ranges of motion compared with the non-exercise group (P = 0.003). Thus regular exercise may help reduce further destruction in haemophilic joints by strengthening muscle ligaments and tendons surrounding the joint thereby protecting them from damage caused by recurrent haemarthrotic events.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ankle Joint / physiopathology
  • Elbow Joint / physiopathology
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Hemarthrosis / drug therapy*
  • Hemarthrosis / etiology
  • Hemarthrosis / physiopathology
  • Hemophilia A / complications
  • Hemophilia A / drug therapy*
  • Hemophilia A / physiopathology
  • Hip Joint / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / physiopathology
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Shoulder Joint / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome