Damaged knee joints of a haemophiliac. Frontal X-ray showing the knees of a haemophiliac. Both knee joints are severely damaged due to the disease. There has been a fracture (lower left) in the right tibia (shin bone) that has healed. Haemophilia is often associated with external bleeding, however, a more common symptom is internal bleeding, which usually occurs around the joints and muscles. This internal bleeding can cause symptoms of pain and stiffness and, over time, can damage and weaken the joints.