Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (538 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Noninflammatory degenerative disease of the knee joint consisting of three large categories: conditions that block normal synchronous movement, conditions that produce abnormal pathways of motion, and conditions that cause stress concentration resulting in changes to articular cartilage. (Crenshaw, Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics, 8th ed, p2019)
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Knee Osteoarthritides; Knee Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis of Knee; Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Osteoarthritis
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 34,269 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Osteoarthritis, Knee” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 14,346 of them (41.9%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 14,449 records.
Reviews account for 4,269 records (12.5%) and meta-analyses for 1,423. Randomized controlled trials number 4,170 (12.2%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 5,770 |
| 2010-2019 | 14,449 |
| 2020 onward | 14,346 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 4,269 | 12.5% |
| Meta-analyses | 1,423 | 4.2% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 4,170 | 12.2% |
Method: PubMed query "Osteoarthritis, Knee"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transcriptome analysis in osteoarthritis primary tissues identifies high-confidence effector genes | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 42373672 · DOI · PMC13458226 |
| Large-scale molecular endotype discovery in synovial fluid reveals osteoarthritis as a single biological continuum | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 42230587 · DOI · PMC13230806 |
| The effectiveness of virtual reality-based exercises in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: randomized controlled study | 2026 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 42525073 · DOI · PMC13399397 |
Transcriptome analysis in osteoarthritis primary tissues identifies high-confidence effector genes [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Osteoarthritis, a whole-joint degenerative disorder, is a major public health burden that affects nearly 600 million individuals worldwide, with no disease-modifying treatment.
- Closing excerpt
- Finally, we provide directional evidence highlighting drugs targeting LGALS3 and SMAD7 as repurposing opportunities for osteoarthritis treatment.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (202 words)
Osteoarthritis, a whole-joint degenerative disorder, is a major public health burden that affects nearly 600 million individuals worldwide, with no disease-modifying treatment. Molecular profiling of relevant tissues is crucial for understanding the biology of disease development. Here, we generate a comprehensive map of cis- and trans- transcriptional regulation in disease-relevant primary tissues from knee osteoarthritis patients: macroscopically intact (low-grade, n = 261) and degenerated (high-grade, n = 212) cartilage, synovium (n = 277), and fat pad (n = 92). We identify 10,166 unique expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL)-associated genes, 61.1% of which have not been reported in previous osteoarthritis eQTL studies, and uncover cartilage grade-specific genetic regulation. Using the largest osteoarthritis genome-wide association study to date, we find colocalization evidence with 136 genes and prioritize 45 high-confidence effector genes. At colocalizing loci, osteoarthritis risk alleles are associated with increased expression of genes involved in chondrogenic and hypertrophic signaling and decreased expression of genes encoding regulatory and modulatory components of these pathways. By integrating the eQTL maps with functional data, we delineate regulatory architectures for osteoarthritis risk variants, including promoter-enhancer loops and transcription factor binding effects. Finally, we provide directional evidence highlighting drugs targeting LGALS3 and SMAD7 as repurposing opportunities for osteoarthritis treatment.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42373672 · DOI · PMC13458226
Large-scale molecular endotype discovery in synovial fluid reveals osteoarthritis as a single biological continuum [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Knee osteoarthritis affects 40% of people during their lifetime, significantly impacting societies worldwide.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings support knee OA as a biological continuum, identify common and phenotype-enriched targetable pathways, and a rationale for stratification in clinical trial design.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (149 words)
Knee osteoarthritis affects 40% of people during their lifetime, significantly impacting societies worldwide. Its molecular pathogenesis remains poorly understood and variable clinical phenotypes suggest it may be more than one disease. We established Synovial fluid To detect Endotypes by Unbiased Proteomics in OA (STEpUP OA) to search for molecular endotypes in knee OA synovial fluid, and to reveal key pathobiological pathways across 1361 individuals with knee OA. Using unsupervised clustering, a single cluster representing a biological continuum is observed, primarily driven by "Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition". Distinct molecular endotypes are not detected. "Angiogenesis", "Complement" and "Coagulation" are enriched for after stratification by clinical phenotype (obesity status, biological sex). Complement and coagulation are associated with the inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein. Associations with patient-reported knee pain are weaker. These findings support knee OA as a biological continuum, identify common and phenotype-enriched targetable pathways, and a rationale for stratification in clinical trial design.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42230587 · DOI · PMC13230806
The effectiveness of virtual reality-based exercises in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: randomized controlled study [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of adding non-immersive virtual reality-based exercise to a conventional rehabilitation program for pain, functionality, balance, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
- Closing excerpt
- Further improvements in quality of life across all subscales except for physical role limitations and mental health.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (187 words)
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of adding non-immersive virtual reality-based exercise to a conventional rehabilitation program for pain, functionality, balance, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.MethodsThis randomized controlled clinical trial involved 60 patients. Measurements were taken before and after treatment (at week 3). Visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and the Short Form-36 were measured. Postural Stability- Dynamic Overall Stability Index, Functional Reach Composite Score, and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance-Composite Score were recorded using the Biodex Balance System.ResultsIn both groups, statistically significant improvements were observed in visual analog scale, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the Short Form-36 Physical Functioning, Postural Stability-Dynamic Overall Stability Index, Functional Reach Composite Score, and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance-Composite Score scores in the post-intervention period (pConclusionThe addition of virtual reality-based exercise to results in greater reductions in pain levels and improvements in disease-specific functional status and overall physical function, postural stability, dynamic balance, and sensory integration. Further improvements in quality of life across all subscales except for physical role limitations and mental health.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42525073 · DOI · PMC13399397
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis [4]
- Research article Moderators of the effect of therapeutic exercise for knee and hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis [5]
- Research article PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: The Improvement Is Clinically Significant and Influenced by Platelet Concentration: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials [6]
- Research article Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis Who Receive Platelet-Rich Plasma or Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Injections Have Better Outcomes Than Patients Who Receive Hyaluronic Acid: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Evidence on risk factors for knee osteoarthritis in middle-older aged: a systematic review and meta analysis [8]
- Research article Muscle strength and osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies [9]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Osteoarthritis- a systematic review of long-term safety implications for osteoarthritis of the knee
Jonathon Charlesworth, Jane Fitzpatrick, Nirmala Kanthi Panagodage Perera et al. · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2019 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Katsoula G, Arruda AL, Tutino M, Reimann E, Bittner N, Kreitmaier P, et al.. Transcriptome analysis in osteoarthritis primary tissues identifies high-confidence effector genes. . 2026. PMID 42373672 · DOI · PMC13458226
- Perry TA, Deng Y, Hulley PA, Maciewicz RA, Mitchelmore J, Larsson S, et al.. Large-scale molecular endotype discovery in synovial fluid reveals osteoarthritis as a single biological continuum. . 2026. PMID 42230587 · DOI · PMC13230806
- Cigdem-Karacay B, Eraslan SS, Canli İ, Turhan A. The effectiveness of virtual reality-based exercises in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: randomized controlled study. . 2026. PMID 42525073 · DOI · PMC13399397
- Pereira TV, Jüni P, Saadat P, Xing D, Yao L, Bobos P, et al.. Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2022. PMID 36333100 · DOI · PMC9258606
- Holden MA, Hattle M, Runhaar J, Riley RD, Healey EL, Quicke J, et al.. Moderators of the effect of therapeutic exercise for knee and hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Lancet Rheumatol. 2023. PMID 38251550 · DOI
- Bensa A, Previtali D, Sangiorgio A, Boffa A, Salerno M, Filardo G. PRP Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: The Improvement Is Clinically Significant and Influenced by Platelet Concentration: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Sports Med. 2025. PMID 39751394 · DOI · PMC11874499
- Belk JW, Lim JJ, Keeter C, McCulloch PC, Houck DA, McCarty EC, et al.. Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis Who Receive Platelet-Rich Plasma or Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Injections Have Better Outcomes Than Patients Who Receive Hyaluronic Acid: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Arthroscopy. 2023. PMID 36913992 · DOI
- Dong Y, Yan Y, Zhou J, Zhou Q, Wei H. Evidence on risk factors for knee osteoarthritis in middle-older aged: a systematic review and meta analysis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023. PMID 37641050 · DOI · PMC10464102
- Patterson BE, Girdwood MA, West TJ, Bruder AM, Øiestad BE, Juhl C, et al.. Muscle strength and osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Skeletal Radiol. 2023. PMID 36562820 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.