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 Causes

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis Types

Living with Osteoarthritis

Causes of Hand Pain

Osteoarthritis and Diet

Osteoarthritis Triggers

Turmeric for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Complications

See more featured articles »

Should You Exercise With Osteoarthritis?

Easing Hand Pain in Osteoarthritis

Natural Ways to Ease Osteoarthritis Pain

Supplements for Osteoarthritis

Latest Osteoarthritis News and Research

Global trends show sharp increase in osteoarthritis among postmenopausal women

The global number of cases of osteoarthritis, as well the disability associated with the condition, have risen by more than 130% over the past 3 decades among women who have gone through the menopause, indicates a data analysis spanning 1990 to 2021, and published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health.

4 Mar 2025

Understanding obesity in pets and its health risks

Your 8-year-old chocolate Lab is putting on weight, and you know she should probably lose a pound or two. But when she looks at you pleadingly with those big brown eyes, how can you resist handing out just one more treat?

28 Feb 2025

Atlantia Clinical Trials: Investigating the interrelation of microbiology and immunology

To be decided by the editor

From Atlantia Clinical Trials 28 Feb 2025

Artificial ligaments could revolutionize ACL surgery and recovery

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common, especially among athletes. Each year, over 400 000 ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgeries are carried out globally.

27 Feb 2025

Single-cell analysis reveals key chondrocyte subpopulations in osteoarthritis

Chondrocytes are specialized cells that are essential for cartilage maintenance and repair, and their dysfunction is central to the development of joint diseases like osteoarthritis (OA).

26 Feb 2025

Strontium-enhanced exosomes show promise for osteoarthritis treatment

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a debilitating condition that causes severe joint pain, restricted mobility, and progressive cartilage degradation.

24 Feb 2025

Aging isn’t just in your genes—your environment plays a bigger role, study shows

Study explores the relative contributions of genetics and environmental factors to aging and premature mortality. It highlights how the exposome—lifetime environmental exposures—shapes disease risks, with socioeconomic status, smoking, and lifestyle choices emerging as key aging determinants.

23 Feb 2025

CT scans expose widespread health problems in Viking skulls

Sweden's Viking Age population appears to have suffered from severe oral and maxillofacial disease, sinus and ear infections, osteoarthritis, and much more.

22 Feb 2025

New study reveals LRP1's crucial role in bone formation and joint development

Skeletal conditions such as developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis affect millions worldwide, often causing chronic pain and disability. These disorders stem from complex genetic and environmental interactions that disrupt bone formation and joint development.

19 Feb 2025

People with depression at higher risk for long-term physical health conditions

Adults with a history of depression gain long-term physical conditions around 30% faster than those without, according to research publishing February 13th in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine.

13 Feb 2025

Mediterranean diet boosts quality of life—here’s how

A systematic review finds that following the Mediterranean diet is linked to better physical, mental, and social well-being, particularly in aging populations and those with chronic conditions.

10 Feb 2025

AI-driven ECG age prediction transforms early disease detection

AI-enabled ECG biological age (ECG-BA) improves disease risk classification beyond chronological age, enhancing early detection of aging-related conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.

9 Feb 2025

Dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Announcing a new publication for Acta Materia Medica journal. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from published datasets were obtained to investigate the expression and dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which are critical for alternative mRNA splicing and translational control in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

6 Feb 2025

The key to healthy aging? Exercise might be the answer

Researchers explore the health benefits of physical activity in the elderly.

30 Jan 2025

Study reveals the importance of physical activity for healthy aging

Can physical activity extend the lifespans of older adults? A review article published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.231336 summarizes the considerable evidence supporting the important role physical activity plays in preventing or reducing the effects of diseases and discusses how to prescribe effective exercise for older adults.

27 Jan 2025

Researchers develop mRNA-based blood clots to treat osteoarthritis

University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers have developed a promising technique for treating osteoarthritis using therapeutic blood clots activated by messenger RNA.

22 Jan 2025

New research uncovers mechanisms behind osteoarthritis risk in postmenopausal women

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that disproportionally affects postmenopausal women, and the millions affected can attest to the pain, reduced mobility and diminished quality of life that comes from this disease.

16 Jan 2025

Heated mittens show promise in easing osteoarthritis pain and stiffness

A study assessed heated mittens for hand osteoarthritis, finding significant reductions in pain and stiffness but no improvement in hand function. Further long-term studies are needed to clarify their therapeutic potential.

1 Jan 2025

Study offers a promising regenerative therapy for osteoarthritis

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 16, Issue 21 on November 22, 2024, entitled, "Anti-aging effect of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stromal cells on senescence-induced chondrocytes in osteoarthritis."

18 Dec 2024

New diagnostic test offers early detection of osteoarthritis

Diagnosing osteoarthritis often occurs in the late stages when cartilage degradation is severe, making it difficult to distinguish it from other types of arthritis and to determine the best treatment plan.

18 Dec 2024