How long does it take for arthritis to set in after an injury?

It depends: Not every injury leads to arthritis. In fact most do not. Arthritis can occur following an injury that either causes joint damage or fracture into a joint. Fractures away from the joint that heal in a misplaced position can also sometimes cause arthritis. Your doctor can explain depending on the nature of your injury, if you are at risk for developing arthritis.

It varies: Injuries to the cartilage of a joint may eventually lead to post-traumatic degenerative arthritis. The time from injury to arthritis is extremely variable, usually depending on the severity of the original trauma to the joint.