The researchers have developed a method to predict post-traumatic osteoarthritis in patients with ligament ruptures using a simplified computational model. The study published in the journal Clinical Biomechanics also verified the model predictions against measured structural and compositional changes in the knee joint between follow-up times. Knee joint injuries such as ligament rupture are common among athletes. As the intact joint ligaments offer a precondition for joint stability ligament injuries are often surgically reconstructed. However in many cases these injuries or surgeries can lead to post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The articular cartilage which serves to provide frictionless contact between bones wears out