Chronic pain in haemophilia: assessment and analgesic treatment

Abstract

People with haemophilia tend to experience pain from an early age because of venipuncture and hemarthrosis. If pain is not properly managed, it can become chronic and bedevil patients throughout their lives. Therapies are currently available that have been shown to effectively treat the different types of pain and their causes. Patients with haemophilia tend to experience either nociceptive or mixed pain. Identification of the cause of pain by means of imaging techniques, and understanding the characteristics, location and intensity of the pain, are essential for a more targeted therapeutic approach. Current data reveal that the most effective measures are administration of haematological and analgesic medication, intraarticular injections, and physical exercise. However, multimodal strategies such as lifestyle changes, physical modalities, psychological support and orthopaedic surgery can also prove of use. This article will look at the most effective analgesic measures used as a part of conservative clinical treatment. Collaborative studies are needed to better understand the nature of pain in the context of haemophilia.