Commentary & Perspectives
Feature

How Some Sports Injuries Can Cause Arthritis at an Early Age

Your high school soccer career ended with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and knee surgery. Now, 20 years later, you’re experiencing increasing pain in that same knee and the doctor diagnoses the problem as post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).

  • by

  • February 13, 2025

  • 5 min

Share

6 Key Takeaways

  • 1

    PTOA is common among those with past joint injuries.

  • 2

    ACL tears can lead to PTOA decades later.

  • 3

    Cartilage damage impacts OA progression.

  • 4

    Current treatments focus on symptom management.

  • 5

    Research on macrophages may improve PTOA treatment.

  • 6

    Regenerative medicine aims to restore damaged cartilage.

Related Content

AAOS Revises Dental Protocol for Joint Arthroplasty

Orthopedic and dental experts revised infection prevention recommendations.

Adolescent and Adult VTE After Arthroscopy Compared in Study

Lower venous thromboembolism risk is shown in adolescents than adults after knee arthroscopy, but comorbidities like diabetes and obesity raise risk.

Early Weight Bearing After Surgery Shows Strong Outcomes

Patients allowed to bear weight sooner after calcaneal fracture surgery showed strong functional recovery and low pain, without higher complication rates.