Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disorder of the joints in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time, producing pain, stiffness, swelling, and impaired movement, most commonly in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis and a major contribu…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 12 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 5× across the literature 🗓 Reviewed June 2026

Overview

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disorder of the joints in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time, producing pain, stiffness, swelling, and impaired movement, most commonly in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. It is the most prevalent form of arthritis and a major contributor to disability worldwide, driven by a combination of mechanical, age-related, metabolic, and genetic factors that affect cartilage, subchondral bone, and the synovial joint as a whole. Diagnosis rests on clinical assessment and imaging, and because the structural damage cannot currently be reversed, treatment aims to control symptoms and preserve function through exercise, weight management, physical therapy, pharmacological agents, and surgical joint replacement in severe cases. Research available through the journal addresses osteoarthritis particularly in older adults, examining its relationships with falls, frailty, and sarcopenia, the potential influence of vitamin D, and the impact of painful knee osteoarthritis. A substantial body of work explores the psychological and social burden of the disease, including depression, loneliness, and social isolation in later life, and evaluates interventions such as Tai-Chi exercise training, electromagnetic-field therapy, and robotic companionship. Studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic further consider disability, health literacy, equity, and the effects of social isolation on people living with osteoarthritis.

Research published in this journal

12 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 12 articles above have been cited 5 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Osteoarthritis, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Arthritis Research and Therapy.

Journal editorial board
Roberto Paganelli · Italy Riccardi Carlo · Italy Helena Idborg · Sweden

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.