Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsComplicationsDiagnosisHow Do You Treat Hemarthrosis?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Complications
Diagnosis
How Do You Treat Hemarthrosis?
Treatment for hemarthrosis is essential since lengthy exposure to blood can damage the cartilage of your joints.
This article discusses hemarthrosis and how it is treated. It also goes over the causes, symptoms, and complications of the condition.
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What Causes Hemarthrosis?
Hemarthrosis can appear after a joint injury, or it may develop spontaneously if you are prone to bleeding.
Common causes of hemarthrosis include the following:
Surgery can sometimes also lead to complications such as bleeding into a joint.
Hemarthrosis Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of hemarthrosis can range from mild to severe and are generally worse if there is a large amount of bleeding. Symptoms include:
While it is wise to bring any such symptoms to your healthcare provider’s attention, it is especially so if you are particularly at risk for this condition.
If you have swelling of one or more joints in your body, you should see your healthcare provider. If you experience rapid or severe swelling, you should seek prompt medical attention.
Hemarthrosis Complications
If it progresses, hemarthrosis can inflame and thin cartilage, causing pain, weakness, degenerative arthritis, or additional bleeding into the joint.In severe or prolonged cases, the condition can create permanent changes in joint structure and function.
How Hemarthrosis Is Diagnosed
The joint fluid that is associated with hemarthrosis is typically reddish, pinkish, or brownish. Other characteristics of the joint fluid may also help identify the underlying cause of your hemarthrosis.
Treatment for hemarthrosis depends on the cause and may include simple at-home remedies, medication for the relief of pain and swelling, removal of the blood, and/or medication to prevent bleeding.
Treatment options your healthcare provider may suggest include the following:
As a preventive measure, blood clotting medication(prophylactic blood clotting factors) may be recommended if you are at risk of developing hemarthrosis due to hemophilia. In general, blood-clotting medications can be dangerous, potentially inducing blood clots that can causestrokesor heart attacks.These drugs can prevent bleeding, but not remove blood.
You will only receive blood-clotting medications if you have a bleeding disorder. Your healthcare provider will closely monitor you for complications if you receive this treatment.
Summary
Hemarthrosis is when there is bleeding into a joint. Mild to moderate joint bleeding should resolve with time. Untreated hemarthrosis can damage the cartilage in your joints, leading to degenerative arthritis or permanent changes in the joint.
Treatment such as joint aspiration, surgery, and physical therapy can alleviate the pain, discomfort, and swelling associated with the condition, and can help prevent long-term complications and joint damage.
4 Sources
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Potpally N, Rodeo S, So P, Mautner K, Baria M, Malanga GA.A review of current management of knee hemarthrosis in the non-hemophilic population.Cartilage. 2021;13(1_suppl):116S-121S. doi:10.1177/1947603520942937
Heller DB, Beggin AE, Lam AH, Kohi MP, Heller MB.Geniculate artery embolization: Role in knee hemarthrosis and osteoarthritis.Radiographics. 2022;42(1):289-301. doi:10.1148/rg.210159
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bleeding disorders.
Manners PJ, Price P, Buurman D, Lewin B, Smith B, Cole CH.Joint aspiration for acute hemarthrosis in children receiving Factor VIII prophylaxis for severe hemophilia: 11-year safety data.J Rheumatol. 2015;42(5):885-890. doi:org/10.3899/jrheum.141236van Baardewijk LJ, Hoogeveen YL, van der Geest ICM, Schultze Kool LJ.Embolization of the geniculate arteries is an effective treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis following total knee arthroplasty that can be safely repeated.J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(4):1177-1180.e1. doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2017.11.002
Manners PJ, Price P, Buurman D, Lewin B, Smith B, Cole CH.Joint aspiration for acute hemarthrosis in children receiving Factor VIII prophylaxis for severe hemophilia: 11-year safety data.J Rheumatol. 2015;42(5):885-890. doi:org/10.3899/jrheum.141236
van Baardewijk LJ, Hoogeveen YL, van der Geest ICM, Schultze Kool LJ.Embolization of the geniculate arteries is an effective treatment of recurrent hemarthrosis following total knee arthroplasty that can be safely repeated.J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(4):1177-1180.e1. doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2017.11.002
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