ABSTRACT
Radionuclide synovectomy, so-called radioactive synoviorthesis, is easy to perform
and a not very expensive procedure (for example, $150 US for an adult knee). Moreover,
it is very efficient in diminishing the frequency and intensity of recurrent hemarthrosis
related to chronic hypertrophic hemophilic synovitis. It should be performed as soon
as possible in order to try to halt the long-term damage that intra-articular blood
will produce in the involved joint. Personal experience and the general recommendation
among orthopedic surgeons and hematologists is that when three early consecutive synoviortheses
(repeated every 3 months) fail to halt synovitis, a surgical synovectomy (open or
by arthroscopy) should be immediately considered.
KEYWORD
Hemophilia - radioactive synoviorthesis - radionuclide synovectomy - economics
