Most people have never heard the term “post-traumatic arthritis” unless they or someone they know has been diagnosed with this condition. It’s estimated that some 5.6 million people is the U.S. live with this diagnosis.
As the name implies, it’s a type of osteoarthritis that can result from a joint injury – like one suffered in a crash, fall or playing sports. Up to half of people who suffer joint injuries develop post-traumatic arthritis. The specific injuries most likely to cause this condition are:
- Fractures
- Ligament, muscle or tendon damage
- Meniscus tears and other injuries to cartilage
Symptoms include joint pain, swelling and/or stiffness, bone spurs and popping, crackling or other sounds when moving a joint.
Treatments vary based on the seriousness of the condition
Sometimes, as with any kind of osteoarthritis, the symptoms and flare-ups can be managed with corticosteroid injections, physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
In more serious cases, surgery, including joint replacement, may be required. That’s particularly true if the joint is so worn down that there is bone-on-bone contact.
Doctors diagnose post-traumatic arthritis through examination as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. The path of this condition is different for everyone. Sometimes it resolves on its own within months. Other times, people can experience symptoms for many years. Most people know someone who is still feeling the effects of a high school football injury or car accident well into middle age – or they are themselves. That may well be post-traumatic arthritis.
Injuries that may not seem especially serious in the aftermath of a car crash can result in lifelong consequences. That’s one reason it’s wise not to accept a settlement from an at-fault driver’s insurer until you know the full extent of your injuries. Partnering with an experienced legal team as early as possible can help you protect your right to fair compensation.