The role of physical activity in the rehabilitation of hemophilic arthropathy patients

Abstract Introduction. Hemophilia is a rare, x-linked inherited genetic disease. All types of hemophilia are characterised by a tendency to hemorrhage, which is sometimes of extreme, life-threatening severity in the absence of adequate treatment with clotting factor deficiency. Physical activity, regular training and sports help the hemophilia patient to develop basic motor skills such as coordination, flexibility, endurance and strength, keeping the musculoskeletal system in a good status. Aim. The present study aims to assess the outcomes of kinetotherapy and recreational sports in hemophilic arthropathy patients, using the Hemophilia Joint Health score (HJHS) and Functional Indepencence score. Material and methods. Thirteen male subjects aged between 13 and 61 years were selected and 23.1% were diagnosed with hemophilia B and 76.9% with hemophilia A. In our study group 38.46% of the patients received daily kinetotherapy sessions, and 61.54% of them received analgesic treatment with electrotherapy in addition to kinetotherapy. In the Medical Centre for Evaluation, Therapy, Specific Medical Education and Recovery for Children and Young People "Cristian Serban" in Buzias, patients included in this study performed different sports and recreational activities such as ping-pong and football. Results. The HJHS score significantly improved after therapy, from 53.07 ± 19.80 before treatment to 40.15 ± 17.37 after treatment (p<0.0001). The most affected score from HJHS was for the left knee flexion and extension loss. Only the score for extension have significantly improved (p=0.04). Conclusions. Incorporating physical activity and low-impact sports into the treatment plan of a hemophilia patient should be a balanced decision, taking into account the individual's specific condition, the severity of the disease, and their overall health profile.