What is post-traumatic arthritis?
Sydney joint surgeon
After a joint injury, the initial healing process can take a few weeks to months. Many people believe that once this process is complete, the joint is back to normal, and they won’t have to worry about it again. However, even if an injury appears to have healed well, it can sometimes lead to additional problems with the joint later on.
An injured joint may develop inflammation months to years after the initial injury. This is known as post-traumatic arthritis, and it’s a relatively common problem. In fact, research indicates that post-traumatic arthritis makes up 12% of all cases of osteoarthritis in the US.
How does post-traumatic arthritis develop?
Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis involves the articular cartilage in a joint. Articular cartilage caps the ends of the bones, and allows them to glide smoothly against one another, allowing for the joint to move easily. In people with osteoarthritis, the articular cartilage wears away. This causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint, and can make movement difficult.
Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in older people, due to wear and tear on the joints over the course of a lifetime. However, after an injury, osteoarthritis can develop much more quickly. Because of this, post-traumatic arthritis is more common in younger people, and can even occur in kids and teens.
Post-traumatic arthritis can occur after any type of joint injury, including a fracture, dislocation, or sprain. It can develop months to years following the injury, even when it seems like the injury has healed completely.
While researchers are still studying exactly how this problem develops, it’s believed that the inflammation caused by the initial injury leads to changes in the joint that later cause the development of arthritis. An injured joint also commonly has some abnormal movement patterns, which can accelerate the development of arthritis.
How is post-traumatic arthritis treated?
The treatment for post-traumatic arthritis depends on the severity of the problem. Many cases can be managed without surgery. Physical therapy can be helpful, to develop muscle strength that can better support the joint. Doing lower-impact exercises, like swimming or biking, may also help to protect the joint while developing strength. In some cases, wearing a brace may help to prevent excessive movement in the joint, which can help to manage pain and swelling. Often, the symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis will resolve within about six months.
Oral anti-inflammatory medications may be helpful to manage symptoms of post-traumatic arthritis. It’s important that this treatment be overseen by a physician, because these medications can lead to serious side effects, especially when used for a long time.
For more severe inflammation, injections of corticosteroids into the joint may help. These are stronger anti-inflammatories, and can significantly reduce pain and swelling. However, corticosteroid injections are not a long-term solution, as they can accelerate breakdown of the joint if used chronically. Injections of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that acts as a lubricant, can also be helpful.
In severe cases, surgery may be considered. Procedures that may be used for post-traumatic arthritis include:
- Debridement. In this procedure, the surgeon removes damaged tissue and debris from the joint, which may be interfering with movement and causing inflammation.
- Fusion. This involves securing the bones on either side of the joint to each other, reducing or eliminating movement at the joint. This can be very helpful for reducing pain, although it also has an effect on movement patterns.
- Joint replacement. This involves removing the damaged joint surfaces and replacing them with artificial ones. Joint replacement preserves movement of the joint.
Consult your Sydney joint surgeon about your options
If you’re experiencing symptoms of arthritis after a joint injury, then you may want to talk to a joint surgeon about your options. The choice of treatment is highly individualised, and there are various factors to consider.
If you’re bothered by symptoms of arthritis in your wrist or a finger joint, then a consultation with a specialised hand surgeon is a good next step. Dr. Sungaran is an expert in the treatment of this highly complex and delicate area of the body. Simply contact our office to book a consultation.
