Early osteoarthritis in young sportsmen with severe anterolateral instability of the knee

Changes in biochemical parameters after anterior cruciate ligament injury

“…Injury to the ACL often leads to the development of degenerative osteoarthritis (OA) [8,17]. In addition, patients with ACL injury and posttraumatic OA are on average 15-20 years younger than patients with primary OA when they become symptomatic [5,17]. Restoring knee-joint stability through ACL reconstruction has not been shown to decrease the incidence of posttraumatic OA in this patient population.…”

Proteoglycan fragments in joint fluid

“…It is also possible to obtain a precise diagnosis by arthroscopy. Lastly, the disease progression is comparatively rapid (Johnson et al 1974, Graham and Fairclough 1988, Sherman et al 1988, Kannus and Jminen 1989, Morrey 1989.…”

“…Fragments of cartilage-matrix molecules are released in the joint fluid, serum, and urine as a result of matrix tumover in both normal and diseased joint cartilage and may serve as such diagnostic tools. Patients developing posttraumatic arthrosis may serve as a model for arthrosis in general (Johnson et al 1974, Graham and Fairclough 1988, Holden et al 1988, Sherman et al 1988, Kannus and Jtirvinen 1989, Lohmander et al 1989, Morrey 1989. These patients provide a relatively homogeneous subset of the otherwise heterogeneous arthrosis population.…”

Markers of cartilage metabolism in arthrosis

“…However, the rate varied widely between patients; some acquired radiographic arthrosis within a year or 2 after the injury, whereas the joint cartilage of others apparently survived for decades (Figure 7). The reasons for this wide difference in susceptibility are unclear, but continued joint abuse and inborn factors may be involved (Doherty and Dieppe 1983, Noyes et al 1983, Graham et al 1988, Sherman et al 1988, Kannus and J3rvincn 1989. It is evident, though, that patients with posttraumatic arthrosis reach a radiographic stage of the disease 15-20 years earlier in life than patients Age at trauma and follow-up Figure 7.…”

“…Injury to the cmciate ligaments and menisci of the knee carries with it an increased risk of posttraumatic arthrosis (Graham et al 1988, Sherman et al 1988, Kannus et al 1989). Much effort is now being invested in improving the techniques for surgical repair or replacement of injured ligaments and menisci, with the aim of decreasing joint instability and the hope of decreasing the risk of future posttraumatic arthrosis.…”