The effectiveness of manual therapy in addition to passive stretching exercises in the treatment of patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy: A randomized, single‐blind clinical trial

• Published in: Haemophilia : the official journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia 2021-01, Vol.27 (1), p.e110-e118
• Main Authors: Cuesta‐Barriuso, Rubén, Gómez‐Conesa, Antonia, López‐Pina, José Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: haemophilia; joint disease; knee; manual therapy; randomized clinical trial
• ISSN: 1351-8216; 1365-2516
• DOI: 10.1111/hae.14181

Background Haemophilic arthropathy is characterized by joint restrictions. One of the most affected joints in haemophilia patients is the knee. Aim This study evaluates the effectiveness of manual therapy and passive muscle stretching exercises for reducing the frequency of hemarthrosis and pain and improving joint health and range of motion in patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy. Methods Twenty eight patients with haemophilic knee arthropathy were randomized to an experimental group or to a control group (without intervention). Manual therapy sessions included joint traction and gliding manoeuvers, in addition to passive muscle stretching. The intervention included one 60‐minute with two weekly sessions over a 12‐week period. We evaluated the frequency of knee hemarthrosis (self‐reporting), joint health (Hemophilia Joint Health Score), range of motion (goniometry) and perceived knee pain (visual analogue scale). A baseline evaluation was performed at the end of the intervention and after a 12‐week follow‐up period. Results The frequency of hemarthrosis dropped significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group (F = 11.43; P