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).

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  • February 13, 2025

  • 5 min

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A torn ACL can lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), a painful condition affecting many young adults, particularly those who had reconstructive surgeries. As estimated 4 million Americans suffer from PTOA, often due to previous injuries. Orthopedic surgeon Andrew Spitzer notes that PTOA occurs when cartilage degenerates, usually precipitated by joint injuries. While current treatments manage symptoms, research by Dmitriy Sheyn aims to delay PTOA's onset through innovative macrophage therapies, offering hope for improved outcomes in the future.

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