The Knee Learning Resource
Haem' means blood and 'arthrosis' means joint so a haemarthrosis is bleeding into a joint.
Bleeding usually occurs as a result of trauma or as a complication after surgery and leads to swelling and loss of full range of movement in the joint. Haemarthrosis in the knee can often develop rapidly after an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The blood is slowly reabsorbed but whilst there is blood in the joint the physical and chemical balance of the joint is upset.
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