The current procedure does have some risks associated with it, but early results show great promise. Each episode of joint bleeding causes inflammation and swelling of the synovial membrane. If bleeding occurs often or is not treated adequately, the inflammation may become chronic and is called chronic synovitis. Then the inflammation leads to enlargement or thickening of the synovial membrane and the release of substances which, over time, can destroy cartilage and even bone. This procedure, synovectomy, involved removal of the inflamed synovial membrane, allowing a new, normal membrane to form.
Care is taken to preserve any undamaged cartilage.
Although open synovectomy is effective in reducing the number and severity of bleeding episodes, it can cause a loss of motion. The surgical procedure also requires a major hospital stay and lengthy rehabilitation period. Factor therapy is required pre- and postoperatively as well as during the recovery period, until healing and adequate joint motion have been achieved. Arthroscopic synovectomy requires a shorter rehabilitation period, and, in some cases, maintains or even improves range of motion. It is still considered major surgery, however, requiring a hospital stay and prophylactic factor for at least a two to three-week recovery period.