Osteoarthritis Treatments: Progress from Understanding Joint Environment to Using Regeneration

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive cartilage degeneration and impaired joint function, presenting a significant health and socioeconomic burden.

• The understanding of OA has shifted from mechanical wear to systemic imbalance within the joint microenvironment.
• Key factors involved include immune dysregulation, metabolic disturbances, cellular aging, and the connection between the gut and joints.
• A multi-axis model describes how these disruptions collectively contribute to OA pathology.
• Innovative strategies using renewable biomaterials and engineered exosomes may target and regulate this pathological network.
• These approaches could facilitate a transition from merely managing symptoms to addressing the root causes of OA.

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