Some of these are now available on line, via the Society's web site. Haemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder. Many proteins in the blood are necessary for clotting of the blood, and deficiency of many of these can result in a bleeding tendency. There are about 5400 people in the UK with haemophilia A and about 1100 with haemophilia B. Haemophilia is a condition which one is born with. It is passed on through the female line in families so there may well be several people with haemophilia in the same family group.
Severe haemophilia is characterised by recurrent and spontaneous bleeding into joints.
Certain joints seem to be affected in particular, notably the knees, ankles and elbows. Bleeds in the shoulder and wrist are less frequent. Bleeding may also occur into muscles, but this is usually after a knock or fall. It is thus internal bleeding that is the problem. A patient will often recognise the early signs of joint bleeding well before a doctor could detect any sign of swelling or warmth of the joint.