Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of joint pain and disability. Around 85% of cases affect the knee, causing pain with walking, standing, and exercise. Symptoms may also include stiffness, swelling, weakness, and clicking or scraping noises in the joint. Those living with this painful, debilitating condition often ask: Can knee osteoarthritis be reversed? While there is currently no cure, new research offers hope, and effective management strategies exist today.
What causes knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis isn’t just “wear and tear”. It’s a degenerative joint disease driven by processes such as inflammation, cartilage loss, and bone spur formation.
Common risk factors for knee osteoarthritis include older age, being overweight, previous knee injuries, and physically demanding work.
Can knee osteoarthritis be reversed?
There’s currently no cure or proven way to reverse knee osteoarthritis, however, treatments and management strategies can help ease the pain and improve knee function.
Potential new therapies that aim to slow down the disease and provide better relief of symptoms are being studied in clinical trials.
Current treatments
Physical activity
Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to manage knee osteoarthritis and ease pain. Exercise is safe and strongly recommended, especially under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Helpful activities include:
§ Low impact exercise, such as walking or water-based workouts
§ Muscle strengthening exercises
§ Flexibility training, such as guided stretches or yoga.
Weight management
Maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet and exercise can help slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis and reduce the need for medications or surgery. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% in people who are overweight can significantly lower stress on the joints, reduce pain, and improve function.
Supports
Supports may help reduce pain and improve mobility in knee osteoarthritis. A physiotherapist can advise on the best option and correct use. Examples include:
§ Knee taping – helps realign the kneecap (patella)
§ Knee braces – reduces pressure on the affected part of the joint
§ Orthotic shoe inserts or insoles – helps redistribute weight and reduce stress on the knees
§ Walking aids – for people with significant pain or instability.
Medicines
Medicines will not cure knee osteoarthritis, but they may ease the pain. Current recommendations include:
§ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – for relief of pain and inflammation
§ Topical treatments (creams, gels, patches) – such as capsaicin and topical NSAIDs
§ Paracetamol
§ Corticosteroid injections – target inflammation; may improve pain and function.
Note: Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication to ensure it’s safe for you, especially if you have other health conditions or take other medicines.
Surgery
Surgery is usually considered for people with severe knee osteoarthritis who haven’t found relief with other treatments. Options include:
§ Knee replacement surgery – replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one
§ Joint-conserving surgery – such as osteotomy (bone cutting to realign the joint).
Therapies being studied
Ongoing research brings hope for possible new treatment options that aim to slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis or regenerate tissue.
Biologic agents
Biologic agents are drugs that target specific molecules that cause inflammation and pain. They are already used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Examples include blockers of TNF-alpha, nerve growth factor (NGF), and interleukins. Clinical trials are still testing whether biologic agents are safe and helpful for people with knee osteoarthritis.
Stem cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are collected from sources such as bone marrow or fat tissue and grown in the laboratory. They can develop into various cells, such as bone, cartilage, or muscle cells. Some studies suggest that injecting MSCs into the joint can help with pain and function. However, more research is needed to determine if they can reliably repair cartilage or slow the disease.
Growth factors
Growth factors are proteins naturally produced by the body to help repair and maintain tissues. Early research suggests that treatments rich in growth factors, such as bone marrow aspirate and concentrate, may help support bone and cartilage healing in knee osteoarthritis and stop disease progression. More research and clinical trials are needed to assess their safety and effectiveness.
Clinical trials for knee osteoarthritis
Clinical trials offer the chance to try potential new treatments. As a clinical trial participant, your safety is the top priority. All clinical trials in Australia must be approved by a human research ethics committee and follow strict ethical and regulatory guidelines. Participants receive expert care from a team of doctors, nurses, coordinators, and other research staff.
If you’re living with knee osteoarthritis and want to explore new treatments, you may be eligible to join a research study. To view our current studies or register your interest for future studies, click here or call (02) 4985 1860.
References & Resources:
- Arthritis Australia. “Knees”. Updated May 2024. https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/what-is-arthritis/areas-of-the-body/knees/
- Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). “Osteoarthritis of the Knee Clinical Care Standard”. August 2024. Available via: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/publications-and-resources/resource-library/osteoarthritis-knee-clinical-care-standard-2024
- Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA). “The management of knee osteoarthritis”. Updated May 2020. https://aoa.org.au/for-patients/patient-information/knee-osteoarthritis
- “Osteoarthritis”. Last reviewed April 2024. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/osteoarthritis
- Hsu H, Siwiec RM. “Knee Osteoarthritis”. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Updated Jun 26 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507884/
- Lana JF, Purita J, Jeyaraman M, et al. “Innovative Approaches in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Bone Marrow-Derived Products”. Biomedicines 2024; 12(12):2812. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/pmid/39767717/
- Shtroblia V, Petakh P, Kamyshna I, Halabitska I and Kamyshnyi O. “Recent advances in the management of knee osteoarthritis: a narrative review”. Frontiers in Medicine 2025; 12:1523027. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1523027/full