Post-traumatic Arthritis
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Definition/Description[edit | edit source]
Post-traumatic arthritis is a secondary osteoarthritis that occurs after an injury to the specific joint.[1][2]
Clinically Relevant Anatomy [edit | edit source]
Trauma can cause damage to the articular cartilage of the joint, which results in weakening cartilage that is not able to withstand the stress. The articular cartilage layer start to break down as a result of this.[2]
Epidemiology/Etiology [edit | edit source]
It is important to differentiate between regular arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis develops as a result of a trauma, while regular arthritis develops gradually without any apparent outside reason. Symptom onset can be as long ago as 2-5 years after an injury to the joint was sustained.[3][4] The cartilage can be bruised when too much pressure is exerted on it. This can happen without any superficial appearance of damage. The injury to the joint does not show up until months later. More severe injury to the cartilage can cause loose fragments when the cartilage comes loose from the bone. These loose pieces are not able to heal, and move around in the joint, and can result into catching and subsequent pain. Broken off cartilage need to be surgically removed from the joint.
Unlike than with bone healing, the defects are not replaced, but instead filled with scar tissue. The scar tissue that forms is not nearly as good a material for covering joint surfaces as the cartilage it replaces.[5]
Characteristics/Clinical Presentation [edit | edit source]
There are several symptoms that can indicate a case of traumatic arthritis. Most accepted symptoms are:
- swelling of the joint
- pain in the joint
- intolerance to weight baring activities. [6]
- joint instability
A diagnose of traumatic arthritis can be considered, even more when this condition develops at an early age. [7]
Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]
Sometimes pain comes and goes over a long period of time. The pain may or may not be accompanied by inflammation of the joint or surrounding area. Often the symptoms would disappear without any major medical intervention, these symptoms may re-appear after a while. [2]
Any injury to any bone can lead to traumatic arthritis. The doctor should be informed if there has been such injury so the correct investigative measures are employed to identify the disease.
You should also observe whether similar symptoms are manifested with other parts of the body. If yes, then it might not be traumatic arthritis. If not, then further investigation can be done to rule out any possibility of mistaken diagnosis. Normally, an MRI would be a good test to pinpoint the exact condition of the joint.[8] [5]
Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]
Medical Management[edit | edit source]
Physical Therapy Management [edit | edit source]
Conservative treatment measures includes modifying the patient’s activities and unloading the joint with crutches or walker. Also, supplemental glucosamine, anti-inflammatory medicaments, pain medications may help. Physical therapy to regain motion and strength and coordination is often helpful. Weight loss in the overweight patient is important and exercise. [9]
When this non-surgical treatment is not successful, surgery can be considered. [10]
Key Research[edit | edit source]
Resources [edit | edit source]
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Clinical Bottom Line[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ Cleveland Clinic. Post-traumatic arthritis. Available from:http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php (accessed 4 April 2019).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brugioni DJ, Falkel J. Total knee replacement rehabilitation: The knee owner’s manual. Alameda CA: Hunter House Inc, 2004.
- ↑ Ombregt L, Bisschop P, Ter Veer HJ. A system of orthopaedic medicine. Elsevier Limited, 2003.
- ↑ Saltzman CL, Salamon ML, Blanchard GM, Huff T, Hayes A, Buckwalter JA, Amendola A. Epidemiology of ankle arthritis: report of a consecutive series of 639 patients from a tertiary orthopaedic center. The Iowa orthopaedic journal 2005;25:44.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Diagnosing Traumatic Arthritis. © 2007-2008; “The Factors That Lead To The Correct Diagnosis Of Traumatic Arthritis” .Available from:http://www.thehealthcarecenter.com/traumatic_arthritis.html (accessed 4 April 2019).
- ↑ B. Benjamin (PhD) © 2001, “Traumatic Arthritis”
- ↑ N. Wei (MD) © 2004; “Traumatic arthritis” http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/traumatic-arthritis.html
- ↑ Books (Google) “A system of orthopaedic medicine, Volume 1”; L. Ombregt, P. Bisschop, H.J. ter Veer; Elsevier limited; 2003
- ↑ N. Wei (MD) © 2004; “Traumatic arthritis” http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/traumatic-arthritis.html
- ↑ Diagnosing Traumatic Arthritis © 2007-2008; “The Factors That Lead To The Correct Diagnosis Of Traumatic Arthritis” (http://www.thehealthcarecenter.com/traumatic_arthritis.html)
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