Provided are methods for the combined use of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) inhibitors and bromodomain containing 4 (BRD4) inhibitors to reduce, inhibit and/or prevent cartilage degradation and systemic traumatic inflammation. A combination of CDK9 inhibitors and BRD4 inhibitors can be used to reduce, inhibit and/or prevent cartilage degradation and loss of cartilage viability during allograft storage. A combination of CDK9 inhibitors and BRD4 inhibitors can be used as a post-injury intervention treatment to reduce, inhibit and/or prevent the acute cellular responses that lead to future cartilage degradation and osteoarthritis.
