Where do bleeds occur?
Most bleeding in hemophilia occurs internally, into the joints or muscles. The joints that are most often affected are the knee, ankle, and elbow. Repeated bleeding without prompt treatment can damage the cartilage and the bone in a joint, leading to chronic arthritis and disability. The most serious muscle bleeds are the iliopsoas muscle (the front of the groin area). the forearm, and the calf. Some bleeds can be life-threatening and require immediate treatment. These include bleeds in the head, throat, gut, or iliopsoas.
