Osteoarthritis

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 66 million (nearly one in three adults) suffer from chronic joint pain and 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, which is characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage and a deterioration of the fluid in a joint. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, from moderate to severe, and stiffness. Most people who have osteoarthritis are older than age 45, and women are more commonly affected than men.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that involves the degradation of joints, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone as a result of mechanical stress.

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Natural Ways to Ease Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis and Diet

Easing Hand Pain in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Types

Causes of Hand Pain

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Should You Exercise With Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis Causes

Supplements for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Complications

See more featured articles »

Osteoarthritis Triggers

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Living with Osteoarthritis

Turmeric for Osteoarthritis

Latest Osteoarthritis News and Research

Population aging identified as largest contributor to the increasing burden of musculoskeletal disorders

Novel research shows that in approximately one third of countries and territories worldwide, population aging was the largest contributor to the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders from 1990 to 2021.

16 Sep 2025

GLP-1 drugs may offer cost-effective treatment for people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity

A new study led by investigators at Mass General Brigham finds that adding novel weight loss GLP-1 drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide to usual care represents a cost-effective treatment strategy for people with knee osteoarthritis and obesity, with tirzepatide providing greater health benefits at lower cost compared to semaglutide.

16 Sep 2025

Healthy diet found to reduce chronic pain beyond weight loss

We all know the benefits of a healthy diet. But new research from the University of South Australia shows that eating nutritious food is about far more than ticking off the five food groups – it can also significantly reduce chronic pain.

9 Sep 2025

Gait retraining reduces pain and slows knee damage in osteoarthritis

Nearly a quarter of people over the age of 40 experience painful osteoarthritis, making it a leading cause of disability in adults.

1 Sep 2025

Healthy gut bacteria capsules show long-term benefits for obese teenagers

Can a capsule of healthy gut bugs change the future of obesity treatment? New findings from the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute suggest it might.

29 Aug 2025

How a single gene reshapes pain perception through polyamine signaling

Researchers have identified SLC45A4 as a neuronal polyamine transporter genetically linked to human chronic pain. Loss of this gene in mice disrupts polyamine balance, alters spinal GABA levels, and reduces heat and tonic pain sensitivity.

24 Aug 2025

Evidence review questions ketamine’s role in chronic pain treatment

A Cochrane review assessed ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists for chronic non-cancer pain. The evidence was low to very low certainty, showing no clear pain relief and potential adverse effects with intravenous ketamine.

21 Aug 2025

Genicular artery embolization relieves chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis

A procedure performed under mild sedation in less than two hours by an interventional radiologist relieves chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, an NYU Langone Health study shows.

14 Aug 2025

New research explores foot positioning to treat knee osteoarthritis

Gait analysis and pain measures show that subtly adjusting the angle of the foot during walking may reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. This approach may also slow progression of the condition, an uncurable disease in which the cartilage cushion inside a joint breaks down.

13 Aug 2025

Personalized gait retraining reduces pain and slows knee damage in osteoarthritis

Nearly a quarter of people over the age of 40 experience painful osteoarthritis, making it a leading cause of disability in adults.

12 Aug 2025

New Canadian guideline highlights expanded role of obesity medications

"Pharmacotherapy can help people living with obesity improve overall health, not just lose weight," says Dr. Sue D. Pedersen, MD, endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist in Calgary, and lead author of this guideline. "The goal of obesity medications is to improve metabolic, mechanical, and/or mental health, and improve quality of life, incorporating treatment goals that are important to each individual patient."

11 Aug 2025

Spinning's positive impact on hip osteoarthritis uncovered

A new study by Bournemouth University (BU) and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD) has revealed the benefits of spinning for patients with hip osteoarthritis. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and will be published in Lancet Rheumatology at 23:30 UK time on Thursday 31st July 2025.

1 Aug 2025

Novel DNA plasmid therapy shows high success rate in treating chronic pain in dogs

Elenagen™, a novel DNA plasmid therapy that previously demonstrated high clinical benefit and low toxicity in cancer patients, has now shown significant promise in alleviating chronic pain demonstrating a 90% success rate.

23 Jul 2025

Can one drug do it all? Reviewing the expanding clinical universe of GLP-1 agonists

Landmark trials have shown that GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally developed for diabetes and weight loss, also provide significant benefits for cardiovascular, kidney, liver, joint, and sleep-related diseases. These effects extend beyond weight loss, suggesting anti-inflammatory mechanisms with broad potential for managing chronic diseases.

22 Jul 2025

Researchers develop novel engineered extracellular matrix to improve cartilage repair

Recently, a research team from Chongqing Medical University, led by Prof. Wei Huang, Dr. Wei Bao, and Dr. Yiting Lei, has successfully developed a novel engineered extracellular matrix (eECM) to address the challenge of cartilage repair.

11 Jul 2025

Biological age of the brain emerges as a powerful predictor of longevity

The candles on your birthday cake don't tell the whole story. As anyone who ever attended a high-school reunion can tell you, some people age faster than others.

10 Jul 2025

Artificial intelligence tracks aging and damaged cells through high resolution imaging

A combination of high-resolution imaging and machine learning, also known as artificial intelligence (AI), can track cells damaged from injury, aging, or disease, and that no longer grow and reproduce normally, a new study shows.

8 Jul 2025

Breakthrough dual-drug hydrogel promotes cartilage repair in osteoarthritis

A research team from Northwest University, China, has developed a breakthrough nano-composite hydrogel system to address the dual challenges of inflammation and cartilage damage in osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of joint disability worldwide.

3 Jul 2025

New protein target offers hope for chronic inflammation treatment

Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system is stuck in attack-mode, sending cell after cell to defend and repair the body for months or even years.

2 Jul 2025

Danish trial reveals how structured exercise and guidance affect life with chronic conditions

A large multicenter trial found that a 12-week personalized exercise therapy and self-management support program produced a small but statistically significant improvement in health-related quality of life for adults with multimorbidity. The intervention was safe, but its clinical relevance remains uncertain, as only self-rated health showed a significant benefit over usual care.

1 Jul 2025