Resection of the radial head and partial open synovectomy of the elbow in the young adult with haemophilia: long-term results.

Resection of the radial head and partial open synovectomy of the elbow have been used in the treatment of repeated haemarthroses of the elbows in 15 patients with haemophilia. The indications for the index operation were: severe pain and bleeding in the elbow that occurred in spite of appropriate, episodic, replacement therapy over a period of more than 6 months, associated with hypertrophy of the radial head and a significant loss of pronation-supination. The long-term results were assessed retrospectively according to the classification recommended by the Orthopaedic Advisory Committee of the World Federation of Hemophilia. In the operated group, three patients had a good result, seven were fair, and five poor. It is concluded that this procedure appears to reduce the incidence of haemarthrosis but did not slow the rate of evolution of radiographic changes.