Knee Osteoarthritis: Current Insights Into Pathophysiology and Non-surgical Management Options

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent degenerative joint disorder, characterised by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage (AC), remodelling of subchondral bone, synovial inflammation, and osteophyte formation. These pathological changes collectively lead to chronic pain, joint stiffness, and functional impairment, significantly diminishing patients' quality of life. This review synthesises contemporary evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning knee OA and critically appraises the efficacy of current conservative treatment strategies. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as weight reduction and structured exercise programmes, have consistently demonstrated substantial benefits in alleviating pain and improving functional outcomes. Pharmacological therapies, notably non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), offer effective symptom relief, while intra-articular interventions, including corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections, provide short-term pain control; however, their long-term efficacy remains uncertain. Emerging treatments, such as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), genicular artery embolisation (GAE), and anabolic agents, have shown promising preliminary results, although their precise roles within conservative management require further validation through robust clinical trials. Despite the growing array of

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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