Post-Traumatic Arthritis of the Knee and Ankle.

Abstract

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) occurs following injury to joints. It accounts for approximately 12% of osteoarthritis and has far-reaching effects on individual patients and social/health care systems. Present work focuses on evaluating the role of the post-traumatic inflammatory response in the development and progression of the disease. As there is minimal evidence to suggest the capacity of cartilage to undergo self-healing, most of this work focuses strictly on the avoidance or prevention of PTOA as opposed to treatment solutions following its onset. Ongoing and future investigations may reveal therapeutic targets for possible intervention and ultimately the prophylaxis of PTOA development.