Semaglutide linked to reduced arthritis knee pain in people with obesity, study finds

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide, a weight-loss drug, can help reduce knee pain in people with obesity-related osteoarthritis. Participants who combined semaglutide with diet and exercise lost more weight and experienced greater pain relief compared to those using only diet and exercise. On average, those taking semaglutide lost 14% of their body weight and saw a 42-point drop in knee pain scores.

The researchers suggest that weight loss, rather than any anti-inflammatory effect from semaglutide, likely led to the reduced pain. Extra body weight significantly increases pressure on the knee joints, with every additional pound equating to 5-8 pounds of added joint stress. By alleviating this pressure through weight loss, semaglutide can improve knee function and may help delay the need for surgery.

However, this effect may be less pronounced in people with lower BMIs. Nearly half of the study’s participants had BMIs over 40, representing severe obesity. While promising, semaglutide is currently expensive and in limited supply, making its accessibility a concern for broader use.