Breakthroughs in Knee Osteoarthritis - What Clinical Trials Are Revealing
Explore the latest clinical research on knee osteoarthritis, including PRP and DMOADs, and how PRG is advancing orthopedic care.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability in adults over 50, impacting more than 32 million people in the United States alone. Characterized by the progressive breakdown of cartilage, OA can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, swelling, and a reduced ability to enjoy everyday activities.
As the population ages and the demand for joint-preserving therapies grows, clinical research is at the forefront of discovering treatments that go beyond symptom relief—treatments that aim to halt or even reverse joint degeneration. At Physicians Research Group (PRG), we’re proud to support this critical work.
Understanding the Limitations of Traditional Treatments
For years, OA management has largely focused on alleviating pain and improving mobility through:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Physical therapy and exercise
Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections
Weight loss and joint offloading
While these approaches can offer temporary relief, they do not address the underlying causes of OA or prevent joint deterioration. As symptoms worsen, many patients face joint replacement surgery as their only long-term option—an invasive, costly procedure with a lengthy recovery.
Promising Therapies on the Horizon
Clinical trials are now focused on disease-modifying and regenerative solutions for knee osteoarthritis. These include:
🔬 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
PRP therapy involves concentrating a patient’s own platelets and injecting them into the knee joint. These platelets release growth factors that may promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation. While not yet FDA-approved for OA, PRP is being rigorously studied in randomized trials with promising early results in improving pain and function.
🌱 Stem Cell Therapy (Mesenchymal Stem Cells - MSCs)
MSCs, often harvested from bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue, have regenerative properties and may support cartilage repair. Clinical trials are evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety of stem cell injections, with the goal of delaying or eliminating the need for knee replacement surgery.
💊 DMOADs (Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs)
Unlike pain medications, DMOADs target inflammatory cytokines, cartilage-degrading enzymes, and other molecular pathways that drive OA progression. Some investigational drugs in Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials include:
Sprifermin – a recombinant human fibroblast growth factor promoting cartilage regrowth.
Lorecivivint – a small molecule that inhibits Wnt signaling, a pathway linked to cartilage breakdown.
If successful, these drugs could shift OA treatment toward prevention and disease modification.
🧬 Gene Therapy and Biologics
Researchers are also testing gene therapy vectors that deliver anti-inflammatory proteins directly to the knee joint, as well as biologics that inhibit cartilage-degrading enzymes. These approaches aim to treat the disease at its source, not just the symptoms.
Why Clinical Trials Matter More Than Ever
Clinical trials are essential for advancing new therapies. They allow us to evaluate how effective and safe a treatment is before it becomes widely available—and they often provide patients access to cutting-edge care at no cost.
At PRG, we support a growing number of orthopedic sites and investigators participating in trials that could reshape the future of knee OA treatment.
We:
Collaborate with orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists nationwide
Streamline study startup and patient enrollment
Ensure rigorous regulatory compliance and data quality
We’re proud to be a trusted partner in this important research and are always seeking forward-thinking clinics and investigators to join us.
Are You a Physician or Patient Interested in Advancing Knee OA Research?
Whether you’re a healthcare provider looking to bring clinical trials to your practice or a patient interested in participating in a study, Physicians Research Group (PRG) is here to help.
Explore the latest clinical trials and join us in the mission to create a future without chronic joint pain.
👉 Visit www.prgresearch.com to learn more or connect with our research team today.