Understanding knee aging and osteoarthritis through imaging

Healthy knee aging vs. osteoarthritis in three large diverse cohorts: What is the clinical relevance of structural changes seen on radiographs?

NIH-funded research University of Arizona · NIH-10096225

This study is looking at how healthy knees age compared to knees with osteoarthritis, to help figure out who might be at risk for worsening knee problems, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding more about knee health and pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Arizona NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tucson, United States)
Project IDNIH-10096225 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the differences between healthy knee aging and osteoarthritis by analyzing structural changes seen in knee radiographs. It aims to identify which individuals are at the highest risk for rapid progression of osteoarthritis, a condition that currently lacks preventive treatments. By pooling data from three large and diverse cohorts, the study will evaluate how changes in joint space width relate to pain and functional outcomes, considering factors like age, sex, and race. This comprehensive approach seeks to fill critical knowledge gaps in the understanding of knee health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 years old who are experiencing knee pain or have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

Not a fit: Patients with no knee pain or those who do not have any risk factors for osteoarthritis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of individuals at risk for osteoarthritis, potentially guiding preventive strategies and improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using imaging techniques to assess joint health, making this approach promising for understanding osteoarthritis.

Where this research is happening

Tucson, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions DiseaseDisorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.