Question: Is it common for arthritis to develop after trauma, accident, or sports injury?
Although any body part can be injured, the term sports injury is usually reserved for injuries involving the muscles, bones and tissues like cartilage.
Answer: Trauma from any cause whether it be from accident or sports injury may lead to the development of arthritis. Depending on the severity of the injury, and the intensity of inflammation produced as a result of cartilage and soft tissue damage, a form of degenerative arthritis may develop. Repetitive trauma is almost a certain guarantee of future trouble. As an example, look at the number of former football stars who now either limp, or have had their knee joints replaced. e.g. Joe Namath, O.J.Simpson. (Answer provided by the late Dr. Raymond Federman, aka Dr. Bones, who passed away on September 2, 2003. The care of his patients even in retirement was always his joy.)
