A recent clinical investigation explored whether the anti-gout medicine methotrexate could lessen knee pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. The study enrolled 130 adults with radiographically confirmed knee OA who reported persistent pain. All participants continued to receive standard pain management, while half received methotrexate once weekly and the other half received a placebo without active ingredients to maintain blinding.
Over six months, the average self-assessed pain score dropped from 6.4 to 5.1 in the methotrexate group, compared with a decline from 6.8 to 6.2 in the placebo group. In addition to pain relief, improvements in knee mobility were more pronounced among those taking methotrexate, suggesting potential benefits beyond pain reduction alone.
Researchers emphasized that further work is needed to determine the optimal dose and to assess whether methotrexate might be more effective when systemic inflammatory processes are involved. They also noted the importance of evaluating cost-effectiveness before any broader use could be recommended.
Some clinicians have previously highlighted concerns about performing costly procedures for knee OA when other treatment options may be sufficient, underscoring the need for careful consideration of therapeutic choices and individualized care plans.
Longer-term studies could help identify which patient groups are most likely to respond to methotrexate and whether benefits persist after stopping the medication. The current findings encourage ongoing research to clarify where methotrexate might fit in the spectrum of knee OA management, alongside established approaches such as physical therapy, weight management, and conventional analgesics. [Citation: Neurology; Annals of Internal Medicine; clinical trial data summarized from published reports].