Osteoarthritis Health Center

Research continues to reveal new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat osteoarthritis. At the forefront of this research is the National Institute of of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Here's a brief overview of what researchers in the field of osteoarthritis are studying:

• Inflammation: Inflammation plays a key role in many forms of arthritis. Through studies on animals, researchers have found that inflammation also may play a role in osteoarthritis.
• Biomarkers: With NIAMS support, researchers are looking for biomarkers of osteoarthritis. Biomarkers are biological signs of increased disease risk, early stages of disease, the course of disease, and people's response to osteoarthritis treatments.
• Diagnostic Tools: X-rays are often used to diagnose and assess joint damage caused by osteoarthritis. Recently, though, researchers have been discovering new imaging techniques to view this damage. These techniques include adaptations of existing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technology and microcomputed tomography (microCT). Through advancements in imaging technology, the hope is that doctors will eventually be able to diagnose osteoarthritis in earlier stages before too much damage has occurred.
• Medications: Many of the medications prescribed to patients with osteoarthritis are designed to treat symptoms like pain, and researchers are continuing to study these medications. Scientists have also found, through animal research, that teriparatide (a form of human parathyroid hormone) can restore joint cartilage in mice. However, more studies are needed for this medication.
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is a popular topic among both osteoarthritis patients and researchers. Scientists are currently looking into the effects of nutritional supplements, dietary choices, and even Swedish massage on osteoarthritis.
• Healing Joint and Cartilage Damage: Researchers are currently studying new ways to repair joint injuries and cartilage damage. For example, when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) — the ligament that connects the shin bone to the thigh — is torn, doctors typically repair the ligament with a transplanted ligament or tendon. But now, new research findings may lead to methods that help the ACL heal on its own. Scientists are also looking for new ways to allow new cartilage to grow and replace damaged cartilage.
• Genetics: More and more, it seems that osteoarthritis has a strong but complicated genetic component. Genetic mutations may put certain people at risk of developing osteoarthritis.
• Patient Education and Self-Management: Research shows that patients who know more about osteoarthritis and feel that they have some control over the disease often have better outcomes. Researchers are continuing to look into ways to improve patient education and coping skills of patients and their families.