Arthritis Prevention

Joint injury prevention

Joint injuries from sports, falls, accidents, or work can raise the risk of osteoarthritis in the same joint later in life.1

Labeled knee joint illustration showing cartilage and meniscus, tissues that injuries can damage.

Common sources of injury

  • Sports, especially knee ligament injuries such as ACL tears
  • Falls and accidents
  • Work with a lot of bending, squatting, or repetitive motion

Ways to protect joints

  • Build strength and balance; low muscle mass raises the risk of falls and joint injuries.
  • Warm up and increase training gradually.
  • Rehabilitate injuries fully before returning to sport.
  • Vary repetitive tasks and use proper equipment at work.

Questions

Can an old sports injury cause arthritis?

Yes. The CDC says some joint injuries raise the risk of osteoarthritis later in the same joint; ACL injuries of the knee are an example.

Does my job affect arthritis risk?

Osteoarthritis is more common among adults with jobs that require a lot of bending, squatting, or other repetitive motions.

This page summarizes public health guidance. It is not medical advice and cannot diagnose joint pain. If you have pain, swelling, or stiffness that lasts, see a health care provider.

  1. CDC, “Arthritis Risk Factors”, https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/risk-factors/index.html, read November 11, 2026. ↩