Hemarthrosis is simply defined as bleeding into a joint. This often causes swelling and pain in the affected joint. In most cases, hemarthrosis isn't serious and typically gets better without causing any long-term affects. However, repeated episodes of hemarthrosis can lead to loss of motion and damaged cartilage of the affected joint. Several things can cause hemarthrosis, including hemophilia, trauma, certain medications, scurvy, tumors or certain nerve diseases.
Trauma
Trauma is one of the most common causes of hemarthrosis. When a joint suffers a trauma, blood may seep into the joint, causing this condition. When trauma causes hemarthrosis, severe pain often sets in and a fracture of the joint is often present.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is an inherited disease in which a person's blood does not clot normally. Those with this condition may experience hemarthrosis because a deep cut may lead to bleeding into the joints. Those with hemophilia may experience a minor injury.
Medications
Certain medications can cause hemarthrosis. These medications include blood thinners such as warfarin. These medications prevent clots, which may lead to hemarthrosis even with a minor injury, particularly if the dose of these medications is too high.
Scurvy
Scurvy can cause hemarthrosis. Scurvy is a condition in which a person has a vitamin C deficiency. When a person is deficient in vitamin C, it makes them more prone to bleeding, which can lead to hemarthrosis even with a minor injury. Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption, strong blood vessels, healing from wounds, healthy gums and skin, and for the creation of red blood cells.
Tumors
Tumors can cause hemarthrosis. These tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Tumors may cause hemarthrosis by being too close to a joint.
Nerve Disease
Certain nerve diseases can cause hemarthrosis because they often cause a person to not be able to feel the position of their joints. When they cannot feel the position of their joints, they are likely to apply abnormal force to the joints they cannot feel, resulting in hemarthrosis and other joint damage. Nerve diseases that may lead to hemarthrosis include diseases such as syphilis or diabetes. Diabetes is a condition in which a person has too much glucose, or sugar, in their blood. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is considered a sexually transmitted disease. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to brain and heart damage.
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