A MIRACLE AFTER 15 YEARS FOR A PATIENT WITH CONGENITAL HAEMOPHILIA AND KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

15 years ago, Mr. N.Q.V. suffered a fracture in the right femur after a traffic accident. The following surgery left him with complications, resulting in a deformed right knee joint. His mobility was extremely limited with a range of motion of 10-0-15 degrees, which significantly affected his quality of life.

In 2016, Mr. V. had the chance to meet Prof. Dr René D. Esser. Over the following 7 years, Dr. Esser accompanied him and his family, providing treatment advice, consultation and guidance. With absolute trust in Dr. Esser and through research, Mr. V. decided to undergo total knee replacement surgery at the American International Hospital (AIH) in 2023.

During the examination at AIH, X-ray results revealed that Mr. N.Q.V. had secondary osteoarthritis in both the femur-tibia and femur-patella joints, misalignment of the femur-tibia axis, bone deformities from the old femoral fracture, and existing orthopedic tools. Prof. Dr. Esser explained: “The patient also suffered from Hemophilia B, a blood clotting disorder due to a deficiency of factor IX. This made the surgery even more challenging, with a high risk of infection. It required meticulous preparation and high precision throughout the surgery, as even the smallest mistake could endanger the patient.”



Given the complexity of the case, Mr. N.Q.V.'s treatment plan was thoroughly discussed in a multidisciplinary consultation involving AIH doctors, hematology specialists, and Prof. Esser. The priority was to ensure the patient’s factor IX concentrate was at a minimum of 80% and lasted throughout the surgery. To minimize invasiveness and reduce the risk of bleeding, the anesthesiologist performed endotracheal anesthesia. AIH also prepared various types of prosthetic joints suitable for the patient's age, condition, and lifestyle. Depending on intraoperative findings, Prof. Dr. Esser and the surgical team would choose the most appropriate joint.

Four days post-surgery, Mr. V. was discharged with a dry wound and the wound pain level was only 1/10.

At his follow-up two weeks later, X-rays showed the implant was perfectly aligned with the bone axis. In 4–6 weeks, Mr. V. could begin physical therapy and rehabilitation.



Reflecting on his 15-year-long journey to regain full leg mobility, Mr. V. shared: “After undergoing major surgery, I am very satisfied with my experience at AIH. The doctors and nurses here are highly skilled and incredibly dedicated. During my stay, although I was in pain and couldn’t remember all the staff names, I remember how carefully they took care of me. I also want to thank Dr. René, an amazing and great person. I’m deeply grateful for his support over the past seven years and his determination to carry out this challenging surgery. All my experiences at AIH were wonderful, and this is a place where patients can truly trust in their care.”

With over 40 years of experience, Prof. Dr. René D. Esser was the former head of the Orthopedic Trauma Department at Stanford University (USA), Markgroeningen Hospital (Germany), and Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (Samoa). In Vietnam, he is one of the few orthopedic surgeons capable of treating congenital deformities and severe trauma cases.

👉 To book an appointment with Prof. Dr. René D. Esser, please register online at https://www.aih.com.vn/bac-sy/esser-rene-daniel-dr or contact our hotline at (028) 3910 9999.