Osteoarthritis affects more than 30 million Americans, causing joint pain and stiffness as cartilage wears down over time. Current treatment relies on pain relievers, physical therapy, weight management, and joint replacement surgery when conservative options fail. No approved drugs slow or reverse cartilage loss.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs that target cartilage breakdown pathways, including monoclonal antibodies against nerve growth factor for pain, injections that aim to regenerate cartilage, and anti-inflammatory biologics. Researchers are also studying gene therapy, stem cell approaches, and drugs that might preserve cartilage structure before damage becomes severe.
Nerve growth factor inhibitors
Monoclonal antibodies like tanezumab block pain signals and showed strong results in knee and hip osteoarthritis trials. FDA approval was delayed over concerns about rare cases of accelerated joint damage, but trials continue with modified protocols.
Disease-modifying drugs
Several drugs aim to slow cartilage breakdown rather than just treat pain. Approaches include biologics targeting inflammatory pathways and small molecules that protect cartilage-building cells called chondrocytes.
Regenerative approaches
Trials are testing stem cell injections, platelet-rich plasma, and gene therapy to rebuild damaged cartilage. These experimental treatments attempt to restore joint structure rather than manage symptoms.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on which joint is affected, severity of symptoms, X-ray or MRI findings, prior treatments tried, and whether you've had joint replacement surgery.
What types of trials are currently open
- Pain management trials — Testing new pain relievers, including nerve growth factor inhibitors and topical drugs, to reduce pain without the risks of long-term opioid or NSAID use.
- Disease-modifying trials — Testing drugs that aim to slow cartilage loss or protect remaining cartilage. These studies often use MRI imaging to measure structural changes over time.
- Regenerative medicine trials — Testing stem cells, gene therapy, or growth factors injected into joints to stimulate cartilage repair.
- Joint injection trials — Testing new formulations of hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids, or experimental drugs delivered directly into affected joints.
- Device and physical intervention trials — Testing braces, unloader devices, electromagnetic stimulation, or physical therapy protocols to reduce pain and improve function.
Recently added Osteoarthritis trials
Study of Wearable Interventions for Improving Mobility of Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects an estimated 654 million people over age 40 world-wide. In the United States, approximately 16% of adults over the age of 40 have knee OA. Pain, activity limitations and disability are common symptoms. Exercise is widely recommended as a non-invasive, first line strategy for people with knee OA. Yet, less than 1/3 of adults with knee OA meet recommended levels of physical activity, and rates are even lower among people who are overweight. Furthermore, adherence to evidence-based structured programs is poor once the therapeutic support is removed. End stage disease is treated by total joint replacement. Under-active people with knee OA would benefit from general walking activity, even if joint replacement surgery is expected; however, walking is difficult and motivation is low. Thus, people with knee OA encounter a difficult paradox: exercise could help decrease pain and improve function but doing so can be difficult and may not always be possible. There is a tremendous need to address this situation. This is a small device-feasibility study evaluating the Dephy ExoBoot, a wearable powered exoskeleton, in individuals with knee OA. The study assesses whether the device can reliably deliver positive assistance during walking and is tolerated across walking tasks. Additional measures, including changes in knee loading and walking speed with versus without the device, are also collected.
Perturbation Based Balance Training Versus Progressive Neuromuscular Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy for Pain Reduction and Functional Improvement in Knee Osteoarthritis
This is an RCT aims to explore Perturbation-Based Balance Training versus Progressive Neuromuscular Training as an Adjunct to Conventional Physiotherapy for Pain Reduction and Functional Improvement in Knee Osteoarthritis.
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