Which symptom might indicate the onset of a joint bleed?

The correct choice highlights a symptom that is highly indicative of a joint bleed. Joint bleeds, particularly in conditions like hemophilia, typically present with severe pain in the affected joint, often accompanied by loss of movement due to swelling and discomfort. This intense pain stems from the accumulation of blood within the joint space, which can cause the joint to swell and become unable to move normally.

Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for immediate interventions that can help prevent further complications, such as long-term joint damage. As such, the combination of severe pain and loss of movement is a classic presentation of a bleeding episode into a joint.

The other options represent symptoms that are not typically associated with joint bleeds. Painful muscle cramping generally pertains to muscle-related issues rather than a bleeding joint. Numbness in extremities can indicate neurological issues. Visual disturbances suggest problems related to vision or central nervous system dysfunction, none of which align with the classic presentation of a joint bleed. Understanding these distinctions is critical for proper assessment and management in clinical practice.