Osteoarthritis year 2011 in review: clinical

SummaryThe purpose of this narrative year in review of clinical studies was to highlight a few publications related to obesity and weight loss, physical activity, and synovitis as well as disease modifying interventions that were published between September 2010 and September 2011. This year clinical research highlighted the extent to which obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) are impacting quality of life among adults in the United States and that reducing excessive body weight or becoming more physically active may be beneficial. In addition to weight loss and physical activity and synovitis, research over the past year has highlighted the diverse methods being pursued for structural modification interventions. In addition to chondroitin sulfate there were interesting preliminary findings that meniscal implants and joint distractions may modify OA progression.