Can a Diabetes Drug Help Knee Pain?
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Living with knee osteoarthritis can be tough—especially if you're also dealing with extra weight. The pain, stiffness, and limited movement can make even simple tasks hard. But there’s some encouraging news: a common diabetes drug called metformin might help ease knee pain for people who are overweight or obese.
Let’s break down what this means, in plain language.
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage in joints wears down over time. This leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It’s very common, especially in the knees. Over 365 million people around the world have OA, and more than half of them are overweight or obese. Carrying extra weight adds stress to joints, but it also causes inflammation that makes OA worse.
What Is Metformin?
Metformin is a pill that’s been used for over 60 years to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar and improve how the body uses insulin. But researchers have found that metformin also reduces inflammation and may help protect joint cartilage.
Because of this, scientists wondered: Could metformin reduce knee pain for people with osteoarthritis and excess weight?
What the New Research Found
A recent clinical trial in Australia tested this idea. Researchers studied 107 people who had knee OA and a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher (meaning they were overweight or obese). The group was split in two:
- One group took metformin (up to 2000 mg per day).
- The other group took a placebo (a pill that looks the same but does nothing).
They did this for 6 months and tracked how much their knee pain changed.
The Results
- People who took metformin reported their knee pain dropped by an average of 31 points on a 100-point scale.
- Those taking placebo saw a drop of 19 points.
- That means metformin helped reduce pain more than placebo—by about 11 points on average.
The metformin group also showed improvements in stiffness, knee function, and overall comfort during daily activities.
So, Should You Take Metformin for Knee Pain?
This study shows promising results—but there are some things to keep in mind:
- It worked best over time. People didn’t feel better right away. It took a few months for the benefits to show.
- It’s not for everyone. Metformin isn’t currently approved just for OA, and some people can’t take it due to kidney or liver issues.
- Side effects are usually mild. Some people had upset stomachs or diarrhea, especially in the beginning.
Most importantly, this was a small study, so more research is needed to confirm the results.
Practical Advice
If you have knee osteoarthritis and are also overweight, here are a few things to consider:
- Talk to your doctor. Don’t start or stop any medication without medical advice. Ask whether metformin might be right for you, especially if you also have high blood sugar or are at risk for diabetes.
- Don’t rely only on pills. Weight loss through healthy eating and gentle exercise is still one of the best ways to ease OA symptoms.
- Track your pain. Using a simple 0–10 scale can help you and your doctor see if your treatments are working.
- Stick with your plan. Improvements might take time—up to several months—so be patient.
Final Thoughts
Knee pain doesn’t have to rule your life. While more research is needed, metformin may offer a new option for people who are both overweight and living with knee osteoarthritis. It’s not a magic cure, but it could be one more tool to help you move with less pain.