Call for research into arthritis risk from sport

The charity Arthritis Research UK said there was an urgent need to understand more about the long-term risks.

A campaign aimed at gathering evidence about the association between common sports injuries and osteoarthritis has been launched by the charity.

Its research suggests that more than half the active public have sustained injuries such as sprained and torn ligaments and bone fractures due to sport.

Many of them are likely to develop osteoarthritic changes in their joints 10 or 20 years after their injury. The condition occurs naturally as a result of wear and tear, leading to worn down joints, inflammation, stiffness and pain which can be disabling.

Knee injuries, which account for up to half of all sports injuries, are especially associated with the condition. Studies have shown that on average, 50 per cent of two common knee injuries result in osteoarthritis.

However, evidence about the effects of fractures and repetitive loading on joints, for instance from running, is lacking.

With so many people sustaining sports injuries there is a great need for more research both into the causes of osteoarthritis and its prevention and management.

Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK, said: “Despite the overriding benefits of participating in sport and exercise, there are hidden hazards related to sports injury. From the limited research carried out, we know some sport-related injuries will cause osteoarthritis, which is a painful and debilitating condition.

“While there is reasonable guidance on how to manage injuries in the short term, there is no research into the long-term implications of sports injuries and osteoarthritis (OA), and what we can do to better prevent and manage OA.”

The campaign, Taking the Pain Out of Sport, will collect evidence from health professionals, sports bodies and members of the public on sports injuries and people’s experiences of diagnosis and treatment.

Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies and former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson are backing the campaign.

Davies said: “More and more sports people retire facing a life of debilitating joint pain and understanding the effects of sport on the body is definitely a priority for elite athletes and the active public alike.”

Visit www.painoutofsport.org, for more details or to help with the research.