The Role of Athletic Trainers in Preventing and Managing Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in Physically Active Populations: a Consensus Statement of the Athletic Trainers' Osteoarthritis Consortium

Abstract

Objective: To provide athletic trainers with a fundamental understanding of the pathogenesis and risk factors associated with the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) as well as the best current recommendations for preventing and managing this condition.

Background: Posttraumatic osteoarthritis, or osteoarthritis that develops secondary to joint injury, accounts for approximately 5.5 million US cases annually. A young athlete with a joint injury is at high risk for PTOA before the age of 40, which could lead to the patient living more than half of his or her life with a painful and disabling disorder. Given our frequent contact with physically active people who often sustain traumatic joint injuries, athletic trainers are in a unique position to help prevent and manage PTOA. We can, therefore, regularly monitor joint health in at-risk patients and implement early therapies as necessary.

Recommendations: The recommendations for preventing and managing PTOA are based on the best available evidence. Primary injury prevention, self-management strategies, maintenance of a healthy body weight, and an appropriate level of physical activity should be encouraged among those at risk for PTOA after acute traumatic joint injury. Education of athletic trainers and patients regarding PTOA is also critical for effective prevention and management of this disease.

Keywords: best practices; injury prevention; joint injuries.

Figures

Figure 1.

Athletic trainers' knowledge of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) by years of clinical experience.

Figure 2.

The chronic disease management model with an athletic trainer as case manager or gatekeeper. Abbreviations: ACL, anterior cruciate ligament; OA, osteoarthritis; PTOA, posttraumatic osteoarthritis; TKA: total knee arthroplasty.

Figure 3.

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis secondary prevention recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.