What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It affects the whole joint: the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones thins, the bone underneath thickens and forms spurs, and the joint lining and surrounding tissues become irritated. The result is pain, stiffness and reduced movement. The NHS overview of osteoarthritis and the US NIAMS osteoarthritis page explain the basics.
This page is an overview of osteoarthritis treatment options. For detail on a specific joint, use the guides below.
Where is your osteoarthritis? Guides by joint
| Joint or problem | What to read |
|---|---|
| Knee arthritis | Knee osteoarthritis treatment |
| Hip arthritis | Hip osteoarthritis treatment |
| Cartilage loss or a defect in the knee | Knee cartilage damage and regeneration |
| “Sclerosis” on your X-ray report | Subchondral sclerosis explained |
| Torn knee cartilage pad | Meniscus tear |
| Wear in the spine | Degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and neck pain |
| Hip shape problems that raise arthritis risk | Hip impingement (FAI) and hip labral tear |
| Joint pain with swelling in many small joints | Rheumatoid arthritis, which is a different, autoimmune disease |
Symptoms and diagnosis
Typical symptoms are joint pain that worsens with use and eases with rest, short-lived morning stiffness, reduced range of movement, grinding, and sometimes swelling. In later stages pain can occur at night.
Diagnosis is often clinical in people over 45 with typical symptoms. X-rays show joint space narrowing, bone spurs and subchondral sclerosis. MRI shows cartilage, bone marrow changes and soft tissue in more detail. Imaging is essential before any injection-based treatment, because stage changes what is realistic. You can send your X-ray or MRI for a doctor review.
Osteoarthritis treatment options by stage
Conventional care comes first. The NICE osteoarthritis guideline (NG226) recommends therapeutic exercise and weight management for everyone with osteoarthritis.
| Stage (simplified) | Core options | Sometimes considered |
|---|---|---|
| Early / mild | Exercise therapy, weight management, education, topical NSAIDs | PRP in selected cases |
| Moderate | Physiotherapy, oral NSAIDs where safe, steroid injection for flares, braces or walking aids | PRP or cell-based injections in selected cases |
| Severe | Joint replacement or other surgery when symptoms stay severe | Injections usually give limited benefit |
Core treatments
- Therapeutic exercise. Strengthening, aerobic and range-of-motion exercise reduces pain and improves function in most joints.
- Weight management. Even modest weight loss reduces load on knees and hips.
- Pain medicines. Topical NSAIDs (especially for knees and hands), oral NSAIDs for short periods when safe. NICE advises against routine use of paracetamol alone and long-term strong opioids.
- Aids and supports. Walking aids, suitable footwear, braces and home adaptations.
Injections and surgery
- Corticosteroid injections can give short-term relief during flares.
- Joint replacement is highly effective for severe hip and knee osteoarthritis when other treatments no longer control symptoms. See stem cells vs knee replacement for an honest comparison.
The NHS osteoarthritis treatment page summarises these options.
Regenerative medicine for osteoarthritis
Regenerative medicine for osteoarthritis aims to calm inflammation and reduce pain, using the body’s own repair signals. It is mainly considered in mild to moderate disease when conventional care has not been enough.
| Option | What it is | Evidence level |
|---|---|---|
| PRP therapy | Concentrated platelets from your own blood | Most studied, mainly in the knee; low to moderate quality, mixed results |
| Stem cell therapy | Mesenchymal stromal cells from bone marrow, fat or donated umbilical cord tissue | Small trials and case series, mostly knee; products vary widely |
| Exosome therapy | Cell-derived vesicles rather than cells | Very early, little human data |
Key points to understand:
- These injections are thought to work mainly through signalling, not by turning into new cartilage
- No product has been proven to regrow lost cartilage in human osteoarthritis
- Benefits reported in studies are mostly pain and function scores over months
- Our stem cells vs PRP comparison explains the trade-offs
Regulatory status
The US FDA has not approved any stem cell product for osteoarthritis and warns consumers about unapproved stem cell treatments. Australia’s TGA and the UK MHRA also restrict these products, and they are not part of routine NHS care. This is why patients from Australia, the UK, Canada and the US consider Thailand, where licensed doctors may provide these treatments under Thai regulation.
Who may be a candidate, and who should not
May be a candidate:
- Mild to moderate osteoarthritis confirmed on imaging
- Symptoms that persist after several months of exercise therapy and medicines
- Good general health and realistic expectations
- People wanting to delay surgery or advised against it for now
Usually not suitable:
- Severe bone-on-bone arthritis, joint collapse or major deformity
- Active infection, active cancer, pregnancy, or uncontrolled diabetes
- Bleeding disorders or blood thinners that cannot be safely managed
- Inflammatory arthritis that has not been assessed by a rheumatologist
- Anyone who clearly needs, and is fit for, joint replacement and wants a substitute
Risks and side effects
- Pain and swelling after injection for a few days
- Bruising at the blood draw or harvest site
- Joint infection (rare but serious)
- Reactions to donor-derived products
- No improvement
Cells are prepared in ISO 9001:2015-certified partner laboratories.
Next steps
- Find your joint in the table above and read the specific guide.
- Gather your X-rays, MRI reports and specialist letters.
- Send them via WhatsApp for a free doctor review and an honest opinion.
- Read how it works to understand the full journey to Bangkok.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis?
There is no single best treatment. Guidelines such as NICE recommend therapeutic exercise and weight management for everyone with osteoarthritis, supported by pain relief. Injections and surgery are added depending on the joint, the stage and how much daily life is affected.
Can osteoarthritis be reversed?
No treatment has been proven to reverse osteoarthritis or regrow worn cartilage. Symptoms, however, often improve a lot with exercise, weight loss and the right pain management, and many people live well with it for years.
Does regenerative medicine work for osteoarthritis?
Studies, mostly in the knee, suggest PRP and some cell-based injections may reduce pain in mild to moderate osteoarthritis for a period. Trials are often small and products vary. They do not rebuild cartilage and are not a substitute for joint replacement in severe disease.
Is osteoarthritis the same as rheumatoid arthritis?
No. Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-repair condition of the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joint lining. They are diagnosed and treated differently.
Which joints does osteoarthritis affect most?
The knees, hips, hands, spine and the base of the big toe are most often affected. The pattern of joints involved helps doctors distinguish osteoarthritis from other forms of arthritis.
How much does osteoarthritis treatment cost in Bangkok?
It depends on which joint is affected, the stage and the program a doctor recommends, so we do not publish fixed prices. Send your X-ray or MRI on WhatsApp for a free doctor review and a personalised program.
This page is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor. Results vary and no treatment outcome can be guaranteed. We are a patient coordination service and may receive a referral fee from partner medical providers. See our medical disclaimer and referral disclosure.