Joint pain affects 1 in 5 Americans, with 88% of those with arthritis aged 45 or older, according to the CDC. “It’s a very large public health problem,” Elizabeth A. Fallon, PhD, tells AARP. “Arthritis is a leading cause of activity limitations and disabilities, and it can be costly to both individuals and the health care system.” According to the CDC report, of which Fallon is the lead author, joint pain does not exist in a vacuum—it’s linked to many concerning conditions:
“Arthritis includes approximately 100 conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. If not managed properly, arthritis can result in severe pain, activity limitations, and disability. Adults with arthritis have disproportionate rates of anxiety and depression and received 55.3% of all-cause prescription opioids dispensed in the United States in 2015. Thus, arthritis is a significant driver of lost wages, disability, and medical costs.”
Now surprising new research shows one unexpected way to relieve joint pain and continue living an active life—here’s what the experts say.
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Ozempic and Joint Pain
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A large study shows that semaglutide diabetes and weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy are incredibly effective at lessening the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain. “The magnitude of the improvement is of a scope we haven’t seen before with a drug,” Dr. Bob Carter, deputy director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, tells The New York Times. “They had an almost 50 percent reduction in their knee pain. That’s huge.”
Obese Study Participants
ShutterstockThe 68-week study from Novo Nordisk followed 407 people, mostly women, who were obese and had knee osteoarthritis. Some were given a placebo while others were given semaglutide, and all participants were coached in how to exercise and reduce calories. “They were really in pain,” said Dr. Henning Bliddal, the principal investigator for the study and a rheumatologist at Copenhagen University Hospital. “They can’t exercise. You are trapped with knees like this.”
Weight Loss and Pain Relief
ShutterstockParticipants in the Novo Nordisk study who took the semaglutide lost 13.7% of their starting weight compared to 3.2% for the placebo group. More importantly, the semaglutide group reported the average pain (on a 100-point scale) of 41.7 points, down from the average of 70.9 at the start of the study. “To be frank, this is what we had hoped for,” Dr. Bliddal said. “But it even exceeded our expectations.” This new research could be a game-changer for those suffering with joint pain, the researchers say.
RELATED: 25 Common Pains You Should Never Ignore.
What Causes Joint Pain?
iStockSimple wear-and tear will take its toll on your joints, experts say. “The cartilage covering your joints is like the tire treads on your car,” sports medicine specialist Matt Axtman, DO, tells Corewell Health. “Arthritis is a wearing down of that covering. As that protective covering decreases in thickness or is less smooth, it causes inflammation in the joints. This can then lead to pain and discomfort. Arthritis can affect individuals of any age, depending upon their weight, genetics or an injury. But the majority of the time, it affects older people.”
Joints Most Under Pressure
ShutterstockCertain joints tend to hurt more than others. “The joints most prone to pain are the joints that bear weight or are constantly in use even when we’re unaware of it,” Brynna Connor, MD, tells First For Women. “The weight-bearing joints prone to pain include the knees and the hips, while joints prone to overuse injuries are in the hands and the wrists. Shoulders are also prone to pain due to their movement patterns, potential rotator cuff problems, a lack of substantial muscular training and support or stability around the joint.”
