Arthritis after joint injury: The military experience

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent condition affecting thousands of Americans. The age-associated incidence of arthritis is higher for those serving in the US military compared to the civilian population. Arthritis, both degenerative and post-traumatic, has long been recognized as a primary source of disability for individuals medically discharged from active duty military service. For past and current war veterans, arthritis is among the top causes of medical disability. Given the characteristics and frequency of extremity injuries sustained in recent military conflicts, a majority of arthritis-related disabilities following combat injury are post-traumatic in nature. Because of rigorous physical demands of military training and occupations even outside of combat, the rate of sports-type injuries is higher in the military versus the civilian population. Both combat and noncombat physical demands contribute to the post-traumatic arthritis risk for active duty military personnel and affect the ability of wounded service members to continue active duty service.