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Study links diabetes drug to reduced arthritis pain in knees
In an April 2025 clinical trial, researchers at Monash University found that metformin alleviated knee osteoarthritis pain in overweight or obese individuals over a treatment duration of six months.
The trial compared metformin to placebo in 107 participants with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, aiming to find a new treatment option beyond exercise and weight loss, which many find difficult.
The metformin group experienced a 31.3 point reduction in pain, notably greater than the 18.9 point reduction in the placebo group, and the drug works by affecting inflammation and metabolic pathways in the knee.
Lead researcher Professor Flavia Cicuttini highlighted that metformin, a safe and low-cost medication familiar to many GPs, offers a promising new option to reduce knee pain associated with arthritis and may help postpone the need for knee replacement surgery.
While these results suggest metformin could improve knee osteoarthritis management and reduce surgery need, Cicuttini noted confirmation in larger trials is necessary due to the modest sample size.