Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of secondary osteoarthritis that develops following injury to a joint, including fractures, ligament disruptions, cartilage damage, or joint instability. Unlike primary osteoarthritis, which develops gradually with age, post-traumatic arthritis may occur years or even decades after the initial injury and often affects younger, active individuals.

Joint trauma disrupts normal biomechanics, cartilage integrity, and load distribution, initiating a degenerative cascade. Even anatomically well-reduced fractures may alter joint congruity at a microscopic level, accelerating cartilage wear. Ligament injuries contribute through chronic instability and abnormal joint motion.

Patients typically present with progressive joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and functional limitation. Symptoms often worsen with activity and may significantly impair occupational and recreational activities. The latency between injury and symptom onset can delay recognition of the underlying cause.

Orthopaedic evaluation includes detailed injury history, joint examination, and imaging to assess cartilage loss, joint alignment, and secondary degenerative changes. Management focuses on symptom control, preservation of joint function, and delay of end-stage degeneration.

Conservative management includes activity modification, physiotherapy, and load management. Surgical intervention is considered when pain and dysfunction become refractory. Treatment options range from joint-preserving procedures to joint replacement, depending on age, activity level, and disease severity.

Post-traumatic arthritis requires long-term orthopaedic surveillance and individualized management to balance function, durability, and quality of life.