No matter when an injury occurred earlier in life, it can leave permanent damage that manifests much later. Known as post-traumatic arthritis, this condition can occur as a result of a
- sports injury,
- motor vehicle accidents,
- fall, or
- any other type of physical trauma.
These injuries may damage cartilage or the bone itself, changing the joint’s mechanics and eventually causing it to wear out at an accelerated rate. People with this condition will experience the telltale symptoms of arthritis, including discomfort and swelling in the joint, as well as fluid buildup. An estimated 5.6 million people experience this type of arthritis across the U.S. It’s most common in the ankle, knee, and hip.
Treating Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Keeping the joints as healthy as possible through weight management and routine, low-impact exercise could help to control the progression of post-traumatic arthritis. Home remedies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) could also alleviate discomfort, while in-office cortisone injections could also help temporarily, though they won’t cure the arthritis.
If these measures fall short, there are also other potential therapies to explore before jumping directly to joint replacement surgeries. For instance, stem cell therapy, as well as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have demonstrated improvements in function, quality of life, and pain levels in studies. Although it’s often impossible to fully restore damaged cartilage, these treatments may help to prevent further joint damage and effectively control discomfort.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for the joints, also known as stem cell therapy for joints! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
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