Post traumatic knee arthritis develops after a serious injury or trauma, such as ligament injury, bone fracture or meniscus tear. After these injuries it may happen that the bone and cartilage of the knee don’t heal properly, that is greatly contribute to the development of the disease. The symptoms include swelling, stiffness and severe pain during walking.

Ligaments are tissues that connect bones to other bones in the body. There are four ligaments in the knee that can be injured.

It connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. ACL is the most commonly injured (stretch or tear) knee ligament. Anterior cruciate ligament tear can occur with a medial collateral ligament injury. When the anterior cruciate ligament, the medial collateral ligament and the medial meniscus is injured we call it terrible triad or unhappy triad. In most cases, ACL injury is a consequence of a sudden movement like a quick turn when jumping, or changing directions while running. Sports that may increase the risk of ACL injuries are football, volleyball, basketball, and tennis.

It connects the thigh bone to the shin bone too. Posterior cruciate ligament is rarely injured. The injury of PCL (partial or complete tear) mainly occurs in case of car accident (striking the knee against the dashboard), but it can happen during sports (falling on the knee while it is bent), especially in football, baseball and skiing.

This ligament connects the thigh bone to the fibula, which is a thin and lateral bone of the lower leg. A rotational force across the knee can cause LCL injury.

It links the thigh bone to the shine bone on the inside of the knee. These injuries (sprain or tear to the medial collateral ligament) are mostly common sports-related injuries that can be the results of twisting or direct impact. Sports, like football or rugby may increase the risk of this kind of injury.

Meniscus cartilage is the key shock absorber in the knee that protect the bones from wear and tear. It acts like a cushion between the shinbone and the thighbone. There are two, C shaped cartilages (medial and lateral menisci) that are positioned on the top of the shinbone.

A forceful twisting or rotation of the knee can result torn meniscus. Sudden movements such as stop and turn, cause severe pain in your knee after your meniscus got injured. Sports like football, tennis and basketball increase the risk of the disease. Symptoms of the meniscus tear include pain in the knee, stiffness or swelling, difficulties in moving the knee and the feeling that the knee is giving away or locked in a position from where the patient is unable to move.