Ozempic has gained a cult following in recent years for its fast-acting powers in weight loss, but could it also be used for those suffering from inner knee pain due to osteoarthritis? 

Originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for those with type 2 diabetes, the weekly injection quickly gained popularity for a common side effect: weight loss. 

The relationship between muscle pain, Ozempic, and joint pain is still clouded in confusion and questions, but a recent study suggests the active ingredient in Ozempic—Semaglutide–may relieve pain rather than cause it. 

How does semaglutide help relieve osteoarthritis-induced knee pain, and what does it mean for pain management in Charleston, SC? Keep reading to find out! 

Ozempic Ingredient Reduces Osteoarthritis Knee Pain by Almost Half 

A new clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide, the active ingredient found in Ozempic and Wegovy injection medications, helped to reduce knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis and obesity. 

According to NBC News, the third phase of the clinical trial found that “people with osteoarthritis who dieted, exercised, and took semaglutide – the blockbuster drug sold by Novo Nordisk as Ozempic and Wegovy – lost more weight and reported a greater reduction in knee pain than those who lost weight with just diet and exercise.” 

The study included roughly 400 patients with knee osteoarthritis, 80% being women, who “experience osteoarthritis at higher rates than men,” according to NBC News. Almost all participants had a body mass index (BMI) over 30, and about 40% had BMIs over 40, which is considered to be severe obesity. 

The clinical trial lasted for 68 weeks, with participants receiving either a weekly injection of semaglutide or a placebo. Participants also received guidance and knowledge on reduced-calorie diets and how to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. 

At the end of the trial, those who received semaglutide injections “lost an average of about 14% of their body weight – roughly 33 pounds – compared to about 3% in the placebo group,” NBC News reports. “People who took semaglutide also reported about a 42-point drop on the pain scale, compared to a drop of 27.5 in the control group.” 

The co-director of the Yale Medicine Avascular Necrosis & Osteonecrosis Program, Dr. Daniel Wiznia, told NBC News, “Every extra pound you have over a healthy BMI is an extra 5 to 8 pounds of pressure on your knees.” 

Wiznia continued, “If you lost that weight, that will be a significant amount of pressure off of your knees.” 

Research is still ongoing as the study’s results may not apply to everyone. It is inconclusive if osteoarthritis patients with lower BMIs would see the same results. 

What is Osteoarthritis? 

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones around your joints wears down or disintegrates over time. This causes your bones to rub against one another, resulting in irreversible damage to your joints and pain and tenderness to the affected areas. 

Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis most often affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. As the cartilage continues to wear, symptoms can get progressively worse over time. 

Some of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include: 

  • Pain during and after movement 
  • Joint stiffness 
  • Tenderness, even with light pressure 
  • Loss of flexibility 
  • Grating, popping, or crackling sensation 
  • Bone spurs 
  • Swelling 
  • Joint deformity 

Osteoarthritis Risk Factors 

As with any pain disorder, there are certain health conditions that may make you more likely to develop and experience osteoarthritis. 

Health conditions that may increase your risk for osteoarthritis include: 

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes 
  • High cholesterol 
  • Autoimmune diseases that affect the joints, such as Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

Could Ozempic Be One of the New Treatments for Osteoarthritis of the Knee? 

Could semaglutide – the generic name for Ozempic – be one of the new treatments for osteoarthritis? Time will tell. 

While the most recent clinical trial shows favorable results for those with knee-focused osteoarthritis and obesity, researchers must continue their efforts in other areas of the population, such as those with knee osteoarthritis and lower BMIs. 

While research and studies continue to be conducted on Ozempic and knee osteoarthritis, our pain management clinic can help you find relief in the meantime.

At Pain Specialists of Charleston, we focus our efforts on interventional pain management techniques to help you find relief and regain the quality of life you enjoyed before pain took over.

If you find yourself suffering from osteoarthritis and a burning pain in the knee, we can help. After an initial consultation with a pain management physician, you may be treated using various interventional pain management techniques, including: 

  • Corticosteroid injections 
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) 
  • Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) 
  • Nerve block injections 

Don’t Let Knee Pain Stop You From Moving Forward! Get Help from Pain Specialists of Charleston Today! 

Don’t let knee pain stop you from enjoying and moving forward in your life! 

Stay up to date with Pain Specialists of Charleston on the latest pain management treatments and visit us for relief today! 

Our pain management physicians take a non-surgical, customized approach to pain management to help you take a step toward a better quality of life. 

We’re open five days a week and accepting new patients–no referral needed!