Inflammation Process, Outcome and Prevention of Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a prominent cause of disability with rising prevalence and incidence. An essential risk factor for posttraumatic osteoarthritis, joint injury history has a substantial role in the rapidly rising prevalence of osteoarthritis in the general population. A prolonged trauma associated with recurring instability leads to the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis, which commonly affects the knee and ankle joints. Due to the high number of knee and ankle injuries that occur each year and the strong association between joint damage and the development of osteoarthritis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis represents a significant public health burden. The onset of the chronic disease seems to be significantly influenced by the activation of inflammatory pathways during the posttraumatic osteoarthritis acute phase. Immediately following joint trauma, a number of inflammatory mediators are secreted in synovial fluid. These inflammatory mediators are the predictors of the disease. The purpose of this research is to review the available information about inflammation process, outcome and prevention of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The continued activation of innate inflammatory pathways may contribute to the maintenance of inflammation and the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis in the injured joint. Various studies reported more complications observed in posttraumatic osteoarthritis patients as compared to others after knee arthroplasties. Prevention of posttraumatic osteoarthritis shall be targeted before the initiation of clinical onset of posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs with sustained delivery can be more beneficial in prevention of cartilage degeneration although further research is needed to study and develop preventive strategies for posttraumatic osteoarthritis.