Can You Develop Arthritis After An Injury?
Unfortunately, after an injury to the joint, arthritis can occur without proper care. This type of arthritis is called post-traumatic arthritis. It is a common form of osteoarthritis, which results from protective cartilage wearing down. Around 5.6 million people in the United States are affected by post-traumatic arthritis after an injury. At New York Sports Medicine Institute, our specialists treat post-traumatic arthritis with orthopedic care. If you are looking for an orthopedic in Paramus NJ to treat or diagnose your post-traumatic arthritis, consider our team to assist you.
Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis develops as a result of the wearing down of a joint after trauma or injury to it. Fracture, cartilage damage, acute ligament sprain, or chronic ligamentous instability are some of the injuries that may result in post-traumatic arthritis. The common locations of post-traumatic arthritis include the hip, ankle, and knee joints.
Knee Injuries Resulting in Post-traumatic Arthritis
The most common out of the three locations of post-traumatic arthritis is the knee. People with knee injuries are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with arthritis than hip or ankle injuries. An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal injury are two of the injuries that can later bring on arthritis. Contributing factors from these injuries that result in post-traumatic arthritis include the following:
- Increased inflammatory markers
- Tissue damage
- Cartilage degradation
- Altered joint loading
- Quadriceps muscle weakness
Symptoms of Post-traumatic Arthritis
Symptoms can arise immediately or as long as two to five years after the injury to the joint, depending on the severity. Excess body weight is known to increase the symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis. If you are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis, visit our orthopedic in Paramus NJ. The symptoms include the following:
- Joint pain
- Joint instability
- Swelling of the joint
- Synovial effusion
- Fluid accumulation in the joint
- Decreased tolerance for movements that stress the joint
Diagnosing Post-traumatic Arthritis
When you visit our orthopedic in Paramus NJ, our specialist will ask about the history of your injury, your overall medical history and evaluate the joint pain. A physical examination will then be performed to evaluate the progression of your arthritis. In addition, tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be performed. Blood tests can also be ordered. These measures will determine the severity of your post-traumatic arthritis and will determine which treatment plan is right for you.
Treatment of Post-traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis progresses as time goes on, so it is important to receive treatment as soon as it is recognized or diagnosed. The route of treatment for post-traumatic arthritis is similar to that of osteoarthritis. Less invasive treatments consist of weight loss, low-impact exercise, and strengthening of the muscles surrounding the joint. If these less invasive treatment methods aren’t efficient, medication, orthopedic care, or cortisone injections may be administered. All of these nonsurgical treatments make the joint more comfortable to deal with, however; they do not completely cure arthritis. In more severe cases of post-traumatic arthritis, when nonsurgical treatment isn’t effective anymore, surgery may be suggested. Surgery may include debriding, reconstructing, or replacing worn-out joint surfaces. Our orthopedic in Paramus NJ can implement some of these treatment methods to help with your post-traumatic arthritis.
Post-traumatic Arthritis Prevention
While the injury is inevitable, some precautions can be taken after an injury to avoid post-traumatic arthritis. For instance, if you have sustained an injury it is advised to take action, such as rehabilitation or rest, to heal the injury, so it doesn’t result in arthritis down the line. It is found that children in sports who take time to heal the injury are less likely to avoid getting injured again and recover better. Also, to avoid the risk of arthritis, it is recommended to maintain a healthy body weight, eat healthy foods, and perform low-impact exercises. The less weight put on an injury, and the more healing, the less likely post-traumatic arthritis will form.
Contact New York Sports Medicine Institute
If you or someone you know may be suffering from post-traumatic arthritis after an injury, contact our office for assistance. Our orthopedic in Paramus NJ will address your symptoms and perform tests to provide you with the best form of treatment. Schedule an appointment with New York Sports Medicine Institute today.