Post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) results from an injury to a joint due to severe trauma. PTA can occur at any age, in any joint and may result from a sports injury, vehicle accident, or fall. Most people experience PTA short-term. Cases will often resolve within a few months, but sometimes symptoms last longer than six months and can become chronic.

Acute symptoms of joint trauma include:

• Swelling
• Synovial effusion (synovial fluid leaking from the membranes into surrounding tissue)
• Severe pain
• Sometimes internal bleeding

Dislocation, or a fracture that extends into a joint may cause damage to articular cartilage, creating an uneven surface. The damaged cartilage causes friction as the joint moves, further damaging the cartilage. Osteophytes (bone spurs) may also form, causing irritation and pain, and potentially reducing range of motion. Over time, the joint breaks down and becomes arthritic. Repeated injury and obesity are known to increase the risk of PTA.

Other symptoms of PTA include:

• Weakness (atrophy) in the muscles surrounding the joint
• Tenderness to touch

• Limited ability to move the joint passively (with assistance) and actively (without assistance).
• Signs that multiple joints are painful or swollen (an indication of rheumatoid arthritis)
• A grating feeling or sound (crepitus) with movement
• Pain when pressure is placed on the joint or the joint is moved
• Deformity of the joint (such as bowing of the knees)

NONSURGICAL TREATMENT

• Activity modification
• Ice packs applied on the joints to decrease swelling and pain
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain and inflammation

• Corticosteroids such as prednisone are potent anti-inflammatories which can be taken orally in pill form or injected directly into the affected area(s).
• Physical therapy is an important part of any arthritis treatment program. Balanced exercise guided by a physical therapist and your physician will help strengthen muscles around affected joints without stressing the joints.
• You may benefit from supportive devices such as braces, orthotics, splints, or bandaging to help reduce the stress on your joints and help prevent joint deformity.
• You may benefit from assistive devices such as a cane, crutches, or walker to help reduce the stress on your joints and help prevent joint deformity.

SURGICAL TREATMENT

Depending on the extent of joint damage and your response to nonsurgical treatments, your doctor may recommend orthopedic surgery. The surgery recommended will depend on the type of joint damage.

1. Synovectomy is the removal of damaged synovial joint lining to reduce pain and swelling.
2. Tendon surgery repairs ruptured tendons to restore function.
3. Fusion is a common surgery performed for arthritis. Fusing the bones that form a joint make one bone that is no longer mobile. Fusions are mainly performed in the joints of the hand and foot because they can relieve symptoms while still allowing excellent function.
4. Joint replacement surgery is used for the larger joints required for mobility, such as the shoulder, hip, and knee. The damaged bone ends are removed and replaced by metal and plastic components. Joint replacement surgery can mean the difference between disability and an active life.

Sources: https://orthoinfo.org/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5013366/