Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 14 million Americans, causing pain and stiffness as cartilage wears down. Current treatment relies on weight management, physical therapy, pain relievers, cortisone shots, and joint replacement surgery. No drugs can reverse cartilage loss or slow disease progression.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that aim to slow cartilage breakdown, regenerate damaged tissue with stem cells or growth factors, reduce inflammation with biologic drugs, and improve pain through nerve-targeted therapies. Researchers are also studying whether metabolic factors like diabetes drive osteoarthritis progression.
Disease-modifying drugs
Several drugs aim to slow cartilage loss by blocking enzymes that break down joint tissue or by delivering growth factors directly into the knee. Early trials are measuring cartilage thickness on MRI to see if these approaches work.
Stem cell and regenerative approaches
Studies are testing whether injecting stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, or engineered cartilage cells can rebuild damaged tissue. Results so far have been mixed, with questions about which cell types work and how long benefits last.
Pain pathway research
Some people have severe pain with minimal cartilage damage, while others have extensive damage with little pain. Trials are testing nerve-targeted drugs, including monoclonal antibodies against pain signals, to address this disconnect.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on severity of cartilage damage on X-ray or MRI, pain level, body mass index, and whether you've had previous knee surgery or injections.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing pills or injections that aim to slow cartilage breakdown, reduce inflammation, or block pain signals.
- Injection trials — Testing stem cells, growth factors, or engineered cells injected into the knee to promote cartilage repair or reduce inflammation.
- Device trials — Testing knee braces, insoles, cooling devices, or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and improve function.
- Surgery trials — Comparing different surgical techniques, including partial knee replacement and cartilage repair procedures.
- Lifestyle trials — Testing exercise programs, weight loss interventions, or dietary approaches to manage symptoms and slow progression.
Recently added Knee Osteoarthritis trials
Try anti-gravity treadmill sessions to improve knee arthritis symptoms
Purpose: The aim of the study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional physiotherapy supported by gait re-education using the R-Force bodyweight-supported treadmill in improving gait parameters, range of motion, knee joint function, quality of life, and body composition in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study will be conducted in the form of a prospective, randomized clinical trial with participants divided into two therapeutic groups: a control group and an experimental group. The therapeutic program will last 4 weeks and will be implemented 3 times a week. Changes in gait parameters, range of motion, knee joint function, quality of life, and body composition will be evaluated.Material: The study will include patients ≥ 40 years of age with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 or 3), confirmed radiologically, reporting pain lasting ≥ 3 months. Participants (n = 80) will be randomly assigned to the control group (conventional physiotherapy) or the experimental group (conventional physiotherapy + training on the R-Force treadmill).Methods: Participants will be assessed at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), after completing the 4-week therapeutic program (postintervention), and after 8 weeks (follow-up). The methods used will include: analysis of gait parameters on the R-Force treadmill, 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, measurements of knee joint range of motion using a goniometer, thigh and lower leg circumference measurements, body composition analysis using the BIA method, subjective pain assessment using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Laitinen scale, pressure pain threshold assessment using a digital algometer, functional assessment using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaires, quality of life assessment (WHOQOL-BREF), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), as well as assessment of periarticular structures using ultrasound.
Track your knee pain recovery over one year with researchers
To explore associations with demographics/clinical factors; assess trajectories via annual follow-up; evaluate healthcare utilization and barriers; oversample \>10-year survivors.
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