Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is a common but painful condition caused by a previous knee injury such as a torn meniscus, ACL injury, car accident, or fracture. At Reflex Knee Specialists, the team of non-surgical knee experts offers a wide range of minimally invasive treatments to manage post-traumatic osteoarthritis. To make an appointment, call the office in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; or Tempe, Arizona, or book online today.

What is post-traumatic osteoarthritis?

Post-traumatic arthritis is a sub-type of osteoarthritis that occurs several years after an accident or injury.  For example, 50% of people who have an ACL injury will have bone or cartilage damage due to post-traumatic osteoarthritis 10 years following the injury.  Similarly, a high percentage of patients who have a torn meniscus will also develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis within 10-15 years following the initial injury.

There’s no cure for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, but a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and minimally invasive treatments can relieve uncomfortable symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How is post-traumatic osteoarthritis different from osteoarthritis?

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis is a condition triggered by trauma that occurs several years following a significant knee injury such as an ACL or meniscus tear. The trauma triggers a cascade of biological events inside the joint resulting in elevated levels of pro-inflammatory proteins in the joint (synovial) fluid.  These proinflammatory proteins are damaging to cartilage, as well as to the lining of the joint (synovium) and bone Primary osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is not triggered by trauma and develops due to risk factors such as genetics, aging, or obesity.  However, the changes to the joint (synovial) fluid are the same: an abundance of pro-inflammatory proteins causes your cartilage to break down, leading to stiffness, pain, dysfunctional biomechanics, and disability.  What are the symptoms of post-traumatic osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of post-traumatic osteoarthritis include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tenderness
• Grinding, Cracking, or Popping
• Sense of knee instability

If you have had a prior knee injury or experience recurrent knee pain, contact the team at Reflex Knee Specialists to schedule a comprehensive knee evaluation. 

How is post-traumatic osteoarthritis diagnosed?

To diagnose post-traumatic osteoarthritis, your Reflex Knee Specialists provider asks about prior knee injuries and your symptoms. Next, the provider will examine your knee to assess your range of motion. alignment, and stability. They also order X-rays and/or a diagnostic ultrasound will be performed to get a closer look at your knee joint and the surrounding tissues

How is post-traumatic osteoarthritis treated?

Treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis depends on various factors, including the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your daily routine. Usually, the team at Reflex Knee Specialists recommends minimally invasive treatments, including:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment
• Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections
• Ozone joint therapy
• Knee bracing systems
• Specialized, knee-focused physical therapy
• Supplements
• Exercise Education

To learn more about the treatment options for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, make an appointment at Reflex Knee Specialists by calling the nearest office or booking online today.