Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (818 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Bleeding into the joints. It may arise from trauma or spontaneously in patients with hemophilia.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Hemarthroses.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Joint Diseases; Hemorrhage
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 2,620 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Hemarthrosis” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 348 of them (13.3%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 1,147 records.
Reviews account for 364 records (13.9%) and meta-analyses for 18. Randomized controlled trials number 63 (2.4%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 1,147 |
| 2000-2009 | 544 |
| 2010-2019 | 581 |
| 2020 onward | 348 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 364 | 13.9% |
| Meta-analyses | 18 | 0.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 63 | 2.4% |
Method: PubMed query "Hemarthrosis"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effect of haemarthrosis on the rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction--single bundle versus double bundle | 2013 | Clinical trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 33 | cc by PMID 23510376 · DOI · PMC3605399 |
| The role of Staphylococcus aureus lipoproteins in hematogenous septic arthritis | 2020 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 26 | cc by PMID 32404866 · DOI · PMC7221087 |
| Merging into the mainstream: the evolution of the role of point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound in hemophilia | 2019 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 17 | cc by PMID 31431824 · DOI · PMC6619375 |
| Iron as a Key Mediator of Chronic Joint Damage: Insights from Hemophilic Arthropathy and Implications for Osteoarthritis | 2026 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42654412 · DOI · PMC13514859 |
Effect of haemarthrosis on the rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction--single bundle versus double bundle [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundHaemarthrosis and pain adversely affects the functional outcome of ACL reconstruction, especially in case of DB ACL reconstruction due to more extensive procedure.
- Closing excerpt
- The muscle strength measured isokinetically and the muscle bulk were found to be greater in the SB ACL group initially after 3 months but was found to be similar after 6 months.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (255 words)
BackgroundHaemarthrosis and pain adversely affects the functional outcome of ACL reconstruction, especially in case of DB ACL reconstruction due to more extensive procedure. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of haemarthrosis on the rehabilitation of DB ACL reconstruction versus SB ACL reconstruction.Methods100 patients were divided into two groups, of SB ACL and DB ACL reconstruction consisting of 50 patients each. An intra-articular drain was put in every patient. The pain was evaluated till week 8 using VAS (Visual Analog Scale). The Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Isokinetic Dynamometer at 3 and 6 months in both the groups. Muscle bulk and Range of motion were also noted in each group.ResultsThe results showed that there was statistically significant difference between the drain amount (n=60.3 ml in SB ACL group vs. n=94.2 ml in the DB ACL group) and haemarthrosis (n=0.7 in SB ACL vs n=1.5 in DB ACL) at week 1 post-operatively. Also the pain outcome improved on SB ACL after day 3 (VAS, n=1.8) as compared to the DB ACL group (VAS, n=3.7). The isokinetic muscle strength was found to be statistically significantly (p valueConclusionWe noted that rehabilitation of DB ACL reconstruction group lags behind that of SB ACL reconstruction during the first 3 months due to post-operative haemarthrosis & its effects, but show comparable results after 6 months. The muscle strength measured isokinetically and the muscle bulk were found to be greater in the SB ACL group initially after 3 months but was found to be similar after 6 months.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 23510376 · DOI · PMC3605399
The role of Staphylococcus aureus lipoproteins in hematogenous septic arthritis [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Permanent joint dysfunction is a devastating complication in patients with septic arthritis.
- Closing excerpt
- However, they have a limited impact on bone erosion in hematogenous staphylococcal septic arthritis.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (200 words)
Permanent joint dysfunction is a devastating complication in patients with septic arthritis. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) lipoproteins (Lpp), the predominant ligands for TLR2, are known to be arthritogenic and induce bone destruction when introduced directly into the joint. Here, we aim to investigate the importance of S. aureus Lpp and TLR2 in a hematogenous septic arthritis model, which is the most common route of infection in humans. C57BL/6 wild-type and TLR2 deficient mice were intravenously inoculated with S. aureus Newman parental strain or its lipoprotein-deficient Δlgt mutant strain. The clinical course of septic arthritis, radiological changes, and serum levels of cytokines and chemokines, were assessed. Newman strain induced more severe and frequent clinical septic polyarthritis compared to its Δlgt mutant in TLR2 deficient mice, but not in wild-type controls. Bone destruction, however, did not differ between groups. Lpp expression was associated with higher mortality, weight loss as well as impaired bacterial clearance in mouse kidneys independent of TLR2. Furthermore, Lpp expression induced increased systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine and neutrophil chemokine release. Staphylococcal Lpp are potent virulence factors in S. aureus systemic infection independent of host TLR2 signalling. However, they have a limited impact on bone erosion in hematogenous staphylococcal septic arthritis.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 32404866 · DOI · PMC7221087
Merging into the mainstream: the evolution of the role of point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound in hemophilia [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Bleeding with resultant hemophilic arthropathy constitutes the largest cause of morbidity in patients with hemophilia.
- Closing excerpt
- The review also raises unanswered questions, highlights the need for consolidated research efforts, and delineates future directions expected to advance this technology and optimize its use in this patient population.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (167 words)
Bleeding with resultant hemophilic arthropathy constitutes the largest cause of morbidity in patients with hemophilia. It results from repeated bleeding episodes in the joint and is characterized by synovial hypertrophy and cartilage and bony destruction. Hemophilic arthropathy assessment is a continually evolving process and is particularly challenging in children and young adults in whom joint disease may be missed or underestimated as obtaining serial "baseline" magnetic resonance imaging scans of multiple clinically asymptomatic or nearly asymptomatic joints may be unjustifiable and cost-ineffective. Musculoskeletal ultrasound-particularly, point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound-has emerged as a promising imaging modality for the early detection and management of hemophilic arthropathy, and for the evaluation of hemarthrosis and painful musculoskeletal episodes in patients with hemophilia. This review summarizes currently available data on the emerging role of this new imaging modality, its limitations, and gaps in knowledge. The review also raises unanswered questions, highlights the need for consolidated research efforts, and delineates future directions expected to advance this technology and optimize its use in this patient population.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31431824 · DOI · PMC6619375
Iron as a Key Mediator of Chronic Joint Damage: Insights from Hemophilic Arthropathy and Implications for Osteoarthritis [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide.
- Closing excerpt
- Conclusions: These findings suggest that iron-mediated mechanisms may provide important insights into OA pathogenesis and support further investigation of iron as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in degenerative joint diseases.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (196 words)
Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. Increasing evidence indicates that dysregulated iron metabolism contributes to joint degeneration by promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and cartilage damage. Hemophilic arthropathy (HA), a severe complication of hemophilia caused by recurrent hemarthroses, represents a unique model of iron-driven joint degeneration. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on the contribution of iron deposition to the pathogenesis of hemophilic arthropathy and discusses its relevance to knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials and Methods: The literature was reviewed using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing on published studies addressing iron deposition, synovial inflammation, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone remodeling, and dysregulated iron metabolism. Results: Current evidence indicates that iron stored primarily as hemosiderin promotes persistent synovial inflammation and progressive joint destruction. Several pathological pathways associated with iron accumulation, including chronic low-grade inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation, and altered bone remodeling, are shared by HA and KOA. Conclusions: These findings suggest that iron-mediated mechanisms may provide important insights into OA pathogenesis and support further investigation of iron as a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target in degenerative joint diseases.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42654412 · DOI · PMC13514859
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Definitions in hemophilia: communication from the SSC of the ISTH [5]
- Research article Optimal treatment strategies for hemophilia: achievements and limitations of current prophylactic regimens [6]
- Research article Hemophilic arthropathy [7]
- Research article Pigmented villonodular synovitis: a retrospective single-center study of 122 cases and review of the literature [8]
- Research article Physiopathology of haemophilic arthropathy [9]
- Research article Understanding haemophilic arthropathy: an exploration of current open issues [10]
References
- Bahl V, Goyal A, Jain V, Joshi D, Chaudhary D. Effect of haemarthrosis on the rehabilitation of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction--single bundle versus double bundle. . 2013. PMID 23510376 · DOI · PMC3605399
- Mohammad M, Hu Z, Ali A, Kopparapu PK, Na M, Jarneborn A, et al.. The role of Staphylococcus aureus lipoproteins in hematogenous septic arthritis. . 2020. PMID 32404866 · DOI · PMC7221087
- Bakeer N, Shapiro AD. Merging into the mainstream: the evolution of the role of point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound in hemophilia. . 2019. PMID 31431824 · DOI · PMC6619375
- Lubkowski M, Leciej Z, Pluta W, Radecka A, Lubkowska A. Iron as a Key Mediator of Chronic Joint Damage: Insights from Hemophilic Arthropathy and Implications for Osteoarthritis. . 2026. PMID 42654412 · DOI · PMC13514859
- Blanchette VS, Key NS, Ljung LR, Manco-Johnson MJ, van den Berg HM, Srivastava A, et al.. Definitions in hemophilia: communication from the SSC of the ISTH. J Thromb Haemost. 2014. PMID 25059285 · DOI
- Oldenburg J, Oldenburg J. Optimal treatment strategies for hemophilia: achievements and limitations of current prophylactic regimens. Blood. 2015. PMID 25712992 · DOI
- Luck JV, Silva M, Rodriguez-Merchan EC, Ghalambor N, Zahiri CA, Finn RS. Hemophilic arthropathy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2004. PMID 15473675 · DOI
- Ottaviani S, Ayral X, Dougados M, Gossec L. Pigmented villonodular synovitis: a retrospective single-center study of 122 cases and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2011. PMID 20884045 · DOI
- Lafeber FP, Miossec P, Valentino LA. Physiopathology of haemophilic arthropathy. Haemophilia. 2008. PMID 18494686 · DOI
- Jansen NW, Roosendaal G, Lafeber FP. Understanding haemophilic arthropathy: an exploration of current open issues. Br J Haematol. 2008. PMID 18950457 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.