Haemophiliac hands--a three year follow-up study.

The total absence of literature regarding the affects of haemophilia on the hand prompted this three year study at the Israel National Haemophilia Centre. The hands of all haemophiliacs were examined and X-rayed at the time of their annual check-up. Apart from a number of established Volkmann's contractures in elderly patients and multiple bone cysts of the carpus, surprisingly little pathology was found. When considering the extensive damage done to the musculoskeletal system by this haemarthritic pathogenesis it is astounding how the hand, with its multiple small joints, constant movement and trauma, escapes significant damage.