New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects more than 32 million Americans, making it the most common form of arthritis. Current treatment includes pain medications, physical therapy, weight management, and joint replacement surgery when conservative approaches fail. No approved drugs yet slow or reverse cartilage breakdown.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing drugs that aim to modify disease rather than just manage symptoms — monoclonal antibodies targeting nerve growth factor for pain, anti-inflammatory biologics, gene therapies delivered directly to joints, and stem cell approaches. Researchers are also studying ways to regenerate cartilage and preserve joint structure visible on imaging.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on which joint is affected, pain severity, degree of cartilage loss on imaging, and whether you've tried standard treatments like physical therapy or NSAIDs.

What types of trials are currently open

• Pain management trials — Testing new pain medications, including nerve growth factor antibodies and non-opioid drugs, to reduce pain better than current options.
• Disease-modifying trials — Testing whether drugs can slow cartilage loss or preserve joint structure, measured by MRI or X-ray over one to two years.
• Regenerative medicine trials — Studies of stem cells, gene therapy, or growth factors injected into joints to potentially repair cartilage or reduce inflammation.
• Physical intervention trials — Testing devices, exercise programs, bracing, or other non-drug approaches to improve function and reduce pain.
• Observational studies — Following people with osteoarthritis to understand how the disease progresses and what factors predict who will need joint replacement.