Pain and swelling caused by blood leaking into a joint.
Haemarthrosis is the process of bleeding into, or the presence of blood in, a joint. It may occur as a result of major trauma (for example, fracture of the patella may lead to bleeding into the knee-joint) or, more commonly, following minor trauma. It can occur spontaneously, in cases of haemophilia or other disorders of blood clotting. If occurring repeatedly, haemarthrosis may lead to fibrosis of the jointlining and inflammation of the cartilage, causing marked stiffness and deformity.
Hemarthrosis refers to bleeding into a joint, leading to the swelling of the joint capsule and causing pain and stiffness.
Haemarthrosis typically occurs due to significant joint injury, such as a torn capsule, torn ligaments, or a fracture in one of the bones that form the joint. Sports-related injuries to the knee are a common cause of haemarthrosis.
Less frequent factors leading to haemarthrosis include bleeding disorders like haemophilia, where abnormal bleeding arises due to a failure in the blood-clotting mechanism. Any joint can be affected, and bleeding may occur spontaneously or due to minor impacts. Additionally, overuse of anticoagulant drugs can also contribute to the occurrence of haemarthrosis.
Frequent episodes of haemarthrosis can harm the joint surfaces, potentially leading to the development of osteoarthritis.
Haemarthrosis triggers immediate swelling of the joint following an injury. As a consequence of muscle spasms in the surrounding area, the joint may progressively stiffen and become fixed in position.
Applying ice-packs can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. To relieve pain and facilitate diagnosis, fluid may be withdrawn from the affected joint. Haemophiliacs are administered factor VIII to promote blood clotting. Resting the joint in an elevated position can help prevent further bleeding.