Management of the elbow joint

The elbow is a complex joint that is prone to bleeding episodes. These features as well as the close proximity of the ulnar nerve and the need to use the elbow in many activities of daily living can lead to a range of symptoms including recurrent bleeds, pain, instability or loss of range of movement and nerve compression. Conservative management includes splinting and proprioceptive retraining monitored by a physiotherapist who is a musculoskeletal expert in hemophilia care. In the event that conservative measures are not successful a range of surgical options may be indicated including elbow replacement. These approaches continue to be evaluated in both the short and long term in order to determine the most effective treatment for the symptomatic elbow.