Understanding when and how joint injury leads to osteoarthritis

Joint trauma markedly, but variably, increases a person’s risk of developing osteoarthritis. The magnitude of the risk is influenced by the severity of the injury, but also by individual endogenous factors. Many of the underlying factors that determine the variable outcomes of knee joint injury remain poorly understood, and reliable prognostic models are scarce. We are often unable to determine an individual’s risk and therefore unable to provide personalised, post-injury advice for lifestyle and treatment.