What are the causes of hemorthrosis?

There can be several possible causes for the development of a hemorthrosis. Often it is caused by acute, traumatic injuries to joints and their structures, such as a severe knee injury. Hereditary or chronic diseases that lead to a disorder of blood coagulation are also reasons for the development of a joint haematoma. An example of this is haemophilia. This is a hereditary disorder of blood coagulation that mostly affects men.

Where can a hemorthrosis occur?

A joint hematoma can occur in all joints. However, it often occurs in the area of the knee or shoulder joint, as these two types of joint are subject to heavy strain, especially in everyday life. Below the kneecap (patella), a haemarthrosis can lead to a so-called “dancing patella” (“dancing kneecap”). Due to the bruise formed underneath the patella, it can be shifted significantly in several directions or can be “danced” on the effusion.

How long does a hemarthros last?

Small accumulations of blood usually disappear after a few days due to cooling, elevation and protection of the affected joint. Larger bruises should heal within a few weeks with appropriate treatment and elimination of the cause. If this is not the case, protracted, painful movement restrictions can be the result. In addition, healthy tissue (necroses) can be destroyed, as it is no longer adequately supplied with blood due to haemarthrosis.

What is the diagnosis of hemarthros?

In addition to a thorough physical and symptomatic examination by the attending physician, the ultrasound examination (sonography) serves to show the size and extent of the bruise.For further diagnostics, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) should be performed to visualize existing injuries or damage within the joint. In addition, a small blood count may be useful, which can identify an inflammation in the joint as the cause. In this case, the inflammation parameters in the patient’s blood are elevated. At the same time, the blood count is also used to check the blood coagulation parameters in the laboratory, because disturbed blood coagulation is also a cause of the formation of hemorthrosis.