Safety of fascial therapy in adult patients with hemophilic arthropathy of ankle. A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hemophilic arthropathy is characterized by loss of function and chronic pain. Fascial therapy mobilizes the connective tissue, intervening in the state of the injured fascial complex and the surrounding tissues.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of a physiotherapy program through fascial therapy in adult patients with hemophilic ankle arthropathy.

DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.

METHODS: Twenty-three adult patients with hemophilia from 26 to 65 years of age were recruited. The intervention consisted of three sessions of 45-minute fascial therapy for three consecutive weeks. An evaluation was carried out before as well as after treatment. The study variables were joint status (assessed with Hemophilia Joint Health Score), joint pain (using visual analogue scale), ankle range of motion (with a universal goniometer) and bleeding frequency (administering self-registration of bleeding). The mean difference was calculated using the Student's t-test for paired samples and using the Cohen formula we calculated the effect size of the dependent variables.

RESULTS: None of the patients developed muscular or articular bleeding during the treatment period. After treatment, significant improvements (p < 0.05) in plantar flexion, ankle pain under load and joint condition were observed in both ankles. Similarly, we found improvement in left ankle dorsiflexion.

CONCLUSIONS: The application of physiotherapy through fascial therapy does not appear to produce muscle or joint hemorrhages. A treatment through three sessions of fascial therapy may improve joint pain, mobility and joint ankle condition in patients with hemophilic arthropathy.