New Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: What's Available Now and What's Coming
- Daniel Taylor
- Aug 14, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 28
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic joint pain in the UK, affecting millions of people and significantly reducing quality of life. While there is currently no cure, the landscape of treatment is changing — and changing fast. From advanced injection therapies already available in private clinics to experimental drugs still in clinical trials, there is genuinely more reason for optimism than there was even five years ago.
This article explores both the treatments you can access right now and the new treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee that are emerging from research — so you can have an informed conversation with your healthcare provider about what might work best for you.
Understanding knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage cushioning the knee joint gradually breaks down. As it deteriorates, bones can begin to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Common symptoms include:
Pain during or after movement
Morning stiffness or stiffness after periods of rest
Swelling around the knee
A grating or popping sensation with movement
According to the NHS, risk factors include age, obesity, previous joint injuries, and genetic predisposition. There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but the condition does not necessarily get worse over time, and a number of treatments exist to help relieve the symptoms. [1]
Understanding what those treatments are — and which newer options might be right for you — is a powerful first step.
Current non-surgical treatments: The foundation of care
Before exploring newer options, it's worth understanding the well-established treatments that form the backbone of osteoarthritis management.
Exercise and physiotherapy
Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness. Physical activity should include a combination of exercises to strengthen muscles and improve general fitness. Low-impact activities such as swimming and cycling are particularly well suited to people with knee osteoarthritis, as they build strength around the joint without placing excessive strain on it.
Weight management
Being overweight or obese often makes osteoarthritis worse, as it places extra strain on the joints. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most impactful changes a person with knee osteoarthritis can make. Each extra pound of body weight places approximately four pounds of additional pressure on the knee, so even modest weight loss can make a meaningful difference. [2]
Pain relief medications
The type of painkiller a GP may recommend will depend on the severity of pain and other health conditions. Options include paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids for severe pain, and capsaicin cream for those whose pain hasn't responded to topical NSAIDs. [3]
Steroid injections
Corticosteroid injections remain a widely used and effective option for managing flare-ups. Some people with osteoarthritis may be offered steroid injections when other treatments haven't worked. The injection is made directly into the affected area and can ease pain for several weeks or months. [1]
Many patients notice significant pain reduction within days. Studies suggest that around 66% of patients experience relief within two weeks, and after 16–24 weeks, patients were twice as likely to report improvement compared to those who received no injection. The key limitation is duration — relief is temporary, and repeated injections may be required. [4]
Newer injection therapies: Beyond steroids
For patients who want something more than short-term pain relief, a new generation of injection-based treatments is now available — most commonly through private clinics.
Hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation)
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and plays a key role in lubricating the joints. In osteoarthritis, levels decline, increasing friction and discomfort. Injecting hyaluronic acid directly into the knee helps restore that lubrication.
Viscosupplementation using hyaluronic acid has been studied as a method of restoring joint lubrication and reducing pain in knee osteoarthritis, with some patients experiencing relief lasting several months. Around 60% of patients in some studies have reported benefit lasting up to six months. Most experience fewer side effects than with steroid injections, making it a useful option for those who aren't suitable candidates for corticosteroids. [5]
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of a patient's own blood, concentrating the platelets, and injecting them back into the affected joint. Platelets contain growth factors that may help reduce inflammation and support tissue repair.
Platelet-rich plasma injections have emerged as a biologically active treatment option for knee osteoarthritis, with evidence suggesting they may reduce pain and improve function, particularly in earlier-stage disease. PRP is increasingly available in private musculoskeletal clinics and is considered a lower-risk option given that the material comes from the patient's own body. [5]
Arthrosamid (polyacrylamide gel)
Arthrosamid is one of the most recent non-surgical injection treatments to become available in the UK. It is a hydrogel — a water-based substance — injected into the knee joint, where it integrates with the soft tissue lining and acts as a long-term cushioning agent.
Unlike hyaluronic acid, Arthrosamid is not reabsorbed by the body, meaning its effects may be more durable. Early clinical data has shown meaningful reductions in pain and improvements in function for some patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. It is available privately in specialist orthopaedic settings. [6]
N-STRIDe (autologous protein solution)
N-STRIDe is another emerging injection therapy. Like PRP, it is derived from the patient's own blood, but it works differently — concentrating anti-inflammatory proteins and growth factors that are then injected into the joint to target the disease process more directly. It is available at some private orthopaedic clinics in the UK and is being studied in clinical trials. [7]
Emerging and experimental treatments on the horizon
The most exciting developments in knee osteoarthritis treatment are still in research or early clinical use. These are not yet routinely available but offer genuine promise for the future.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cell treatment for knee osteoarthritis has attracted considerable attention as a potential way to slow or even reverse cartilage damage. The principle is that stem cells — particularly mesenchymal stem cells — can be introduced into the joint to support tissue regeneration and modulate inflammation.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy represents an area of active investigation in osteoarthritis research, with studies exploring its potential to reduce pain and promote cartilage repair, though evidence is still evolving and standardised protocols are not yet established. Some private clinics in the UK offer stem cell injections, though patients should be aware that NICE has not yet endorsed this approach as part of standard care, and the evidence base continues to develop. [5]
Neurotrophin inhibitors (e.g. LEVI-04)
A new class of drugs known as neurotrophin inhibitors is under investigation for knee osteoarthritis. In osteoarthritis, a nerve-growth protein called neurotrophin-3 may become overactive in damaged joints, encouraging pain-sensing nerves to grow and become hypersensitive. Neurotrophin inhibitors such as LEVI-04 are designed to block this protein, reducing pain amplification from within the joint itself. [8]
Early Phase 3 trial results have shown promising improvements in both pain and physical function. Researchers are also exploring whether this approach might influence cartilage deterioration over time, though this remains under investigation. LEVI-04 is not yet approved or available outside clinical trial settings.
GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g. Mounjaro, Wegovy)
GLP-1 drugs — most commonly associated with weight loss — are being studied for their potential impact on osteoarthritis. Beyond weight reduction, experts believe GLP-1 drugs may offer anti-inflammatory benefits, and some research has suggested that patients receiving these injections may be less likely to progress to joint replacement surgery. Intra-articular (directly injected into the joint) GLP-1 treatments are also being explored, though this remains investigational and is not current practice. [9]
"Smart" drug-releasing cartilage gels
Researchers are developing gel-like biomaterials designed to mimic natural cartilage and deliver anti-inflammatory drugs in response to the chemical changes that occur during an arthritis flare-up. This approach involves a responsive material that can detect signs of inflammation and release medication precisely when needed, potentially offering more targeted and sustained relief than a single injection. This technology is still in the laboratory and pre-clinical stages. [10]
Bone marrow concentrate and autologous cell therapies
A growing area of research involves using concentrated bone marrow aspirate — which contains stem cells and growth factors — as an injectable treatment for knee osteoarthritis. While not yet mainstream, autologous cell-based therapies including bone marrow aspirate concentrate are among the regenerative approaches being evaluated for their ability to modulate the osteoarthritis disease environment and reduce symptoms. [5]
Radiofrequency denervation: A non-injection option
For patients whose knee pain hasn't responded to injections or other conservative measures, there is another option worth knowing about. People with knee osteoarthritis may be able to have radiofrequency denervation, in which a low electrical current is used to heat and destroy some of the nerves in the knee, blocking pain signals. This can help reduce pain for up to two years, though as nerves regrow, the treatment may need to be repeated. [1]
This is a minimally invasive procedure performed in a clinical setting and is available on both the NHS (in some cases) and privately.
Combining treatments for better outcomes
For many patients, the most effective approach involves combining several therapies rather than relying on one alone. Pairing an injection therapy with an exercise programme and weight management, for example, typically produces better and more durable results than any single treatment in isolation.
A specialist can help you identify the right combination based on the severity of your osteoarthritis, your overall health, and your treatment goals.
How close are we to a cure for osteoarthritis?
This is the question many patients ask — and it deserves an honest answer.
Currently, there is no cure for osteoarthritis. Existing treatments manage symptoms rather than reversing the underlying disease. However, the scientific community is closer than ever to understanding what drives osteoarthritis at a cellular and molecular level, which is a prerequisite for developing disease-modifying treatments.
Recent advances in the understanding of osteoarthritis pathophysiology — including the roles of inflammation, cartilage matrix degradation, and subchondral bone changes — are opening new avenues for targeted drug development that may ultimately slow or halt disease progression.
Neurotrophin inhibitors, regenerative cell therapies, and smart biomaterials all represent potential stepping stones toward disease modification — treatments that don't just manage pain, but actively intervene in the disease process. Clinical trials are actively underway, and within the next decade, the options available to patients could look very different from today.
For now, the most effective approach remains combining the best available treatments with healthy lifestyle habits — and staying informed as new options become available.
What to do next if you have knee osteoarthritis
If you're living with knee osteoarthritis, the most important thing to know is that you have more options than ever before — and you don't need to simply manage your way through the pain.
The right starting point depends on where you are in your journey. If you haven't yet explored non-surgical treatments, the evidence strongly supports beginning with a structured exercise programme, weight management where relevant, and appropriate pain relief medication. These foundations make a real difference and can enhance the effectiveness of any additional treatments you go on to have.
If you've already tried the basics and found them insufficient, it's worth speaking to a specialist about the newer injection therapies now available — hyaluronic acid, PRP, and Arthrosamid are all accessible privately and may offer longer-lasting relief than a standard steroid injection alone. A specialist can assess the severity of your osteoarthritis, usually with imaging, and help you understand which of these options is most appropriate for your specific presentation.
For those whose pain is significantly affecting daily life — your sleep, your ability to work, your independence — don't delay seeking a specialist opinion. Knee osteoarthritis tends to be more manageable when addressed proactively rather than reactively, and the newer treatments available are most effective in mild to moderate disease.
Whatever stage you're at, the key is to avoid navigating this alone. An experienced musculoskeletal specialist can map out a personalised treatment plan that draws on the full range of options — from lifestyle measures and physiotherapy through to the most advanced injection therapies currently available.
At Elite Joint Solutions, we work with patients across Bristol and South Gloucestershire to do exactly that. If you'd like to understand which treatments might be right for you, book a consultation today.
References
NHS. Osteoarthritis: Treatment and support. Page last reviewed: 20 March 2023.
NHS. Osteoarthritis: Overview. Page last reviewed: 20 March 2023.
Queremel Milani DA, Davis DD. Pain Management Medications. Updated 2023 Jul 3.
Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F. Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: meta-analysis. BMJ. 2004 Apr 10;328(7444):869. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38039.573970.7C. Epub 2004 Mar 23. PMID: 15039276; PMCID: PMC387479.
Shtroblia V, Petakh P, Kamyshna I, Halabitska I, Kamyshnyi O. Recent advances in the management of knee osteoarthritis: a narrative review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Jan 21;12:1523027. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1523027. PMID: 39906596; PMCID: PMC11790583.
Wilkinson E. England Athletics promotion of medical knee procedure to runners on eve of London Marathon is condemned by experts BMJ 2026; 393 :s786 doi:10.1136/bmj.s786
Bin Abd Razak HR, Chew D, Kazezian Z, Bull AMJ. Autologous protein solution: a promising solution for osteoarthritis? EFORT Open Rev. 2021 Sep 14;6(9):716-726. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200040. PMID: 34667642; PMCID: PMC8489471.
Conaghan, P., Katz, N., Bihlet, A.R., Wullum, L.W., af Forselles, K., Perkins, C.M., Hughes, B., Herholdt, C., Bombelka, I. and Westbrook, S., 2026. LEVI-04, A NOVEL NEUROTROPHIN-3 INHIBITOR, DEMONSTRATES CLINICALLY MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN PAIN AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION ACROSS A RANGE OF OA OUTCOMES, INCLUDING THE OMERACT-OARSI RESPONDER CRITERIA. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 34, pp.S78-S79.
Ryan M, Megyeri S, Nuffer W, Trujillo JM. The potential role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in osteoarthritis. Pharmacotherapy. 2025 Mar;45(3):177-186. doi: 10.1002/phar.70005. Epub 2025 Feb 20. PMID: 39980227.
Oliveira IM, Fernandes DC, Cengiz IF, Reis RL, Oliveira JM. Hydrogels in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: drug delivery systems and artificial matrices for dynamic in vitro models. J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2021 Jun 22;32(7):74. doi: 10.1007/s10856-021-06547-1. PMID: 34156535; PMCID: PMC8219548.
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