Intra-articular fracture

In the Statement of Principles for osteoarthritis the RMA has defined intra-articular fracture to mean "a fracture involving the articular surface of a joint".

General Information

This type of fracture involves the cartilaginous articular surface of one of the bones of a joint or of the vertebral bodies or facet joints of the spine. The articular surface refers to the area of bone involved in the joint, i.e. opposing the other bone(s).

Establishing onset

If a person had an intra-articular fracture he or she would have needed significant medical attention at that time. X-ray evidence would have been obtained to demonstrate the presence of a fracture involving the cartilaginous articular surface of one of the bones of the joint. Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records. However, if these records have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained and there is a reliable history of an intra-articular fracture at a particular time, this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence. Obtain medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to an intra-articular fracture rather than to some other condition.

Last reviewed for CCPS 10 June 2012.

Preliminary questions [9576]

8658     there is some evidence that an intra-articular fracture may be a factor in the development or worsening of the condition under consideration.

4572     the veteran has had an intra-articular fracture at some time.

2485     the veteran has had an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body at some time.

8829     intra-articular fracture means a fracture involving the articular surface of a joint.

26409  the veteran has established the causal connection between the intra-articular fracture and VEA service for the condition under consideration.

25514 the veteran had the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

9590     the veteran has established the causal connection between the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture, and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

9591     the veteran has established the causal connection between the intra-articular fracture and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

9592     the veteran has established the causal connection between the intra-articular fracture and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

25516 the veteran had the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

26410   the veteran has established the causal connection between the intra-articular fracture and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

26411  the veteran has established the causal connection between the intra-articular fracture and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

or

26412  the veteran has established the causal connection between the intra-articular fracture and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and operational service [9591]

26413  the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [9592]

26414  the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [26411]

26413  the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, is causally related to operational service.

25519 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [26412]

26414  the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, is causally related to eligible service.

25520 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the identified illness or injury, an intra-articular fracture of side and site of the body, is causally related.