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Can Osteoarthritis be caused by old sporting injuries
A recent report from the charity Arthritis UK has highlighted a concern that in a significant number of cases Osteoarthritis is caused by old sporting injuries meaning thousands of young sports enthusiasts may be destined to suffer painful and disabling joint damage later in life.
A recent report from the charity Arthritis UK has highlighted a concern that in a significant number of cases Osteoarthritis is caused by old sporting injuries meaning thousands of young sports enthusiasts may be destined to suffer painful and disabling joint damage later in life.
Osteoarthritis occurs naturally as a result of wear and tear, leading to worn down joints, inflammation, stiffness and pain which can become disabling. Around 8 million people in Britain suffer from the condition.
However, anecdotal evidence suggests injuries such as torn ligaments and bone fractures can also increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis many years later.
In fact knee injuries, which account for up to half of all sports injuries, are especially associated with the condition. Studies have shown that on average, 50 per cent of two common knee injuries result in osteoarthritis.
As a result of the report Arthritis UK and The Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine have called for more research into the links between sports injuries and osteoarthritis in order to try to prevent more cases of the condition.
Around 1.2m people consult their GP with signs of osteoarthritis each year, the report said, and prevention of sports injuries could cut these cases by a quarter, it was estimated.
Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK said 'We need to find effective approaches to prevent injuries and, when they occur, improve management to reduce the risk of long-term consequences. We need to be able to give appropriate advice to keep people active in their choice of activities, for longer’