202. Metabolic Osteoarthritis: How Fat Tissue Talks to Your Joints

In this episode, Dr. Darsh Shah and Dr. Altamash Raja explore the emerging concept of metabolic osteoarthritis and the growing evidence linking joint degeneration to obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic syndrome. They break down novel research on GLP-1 medications and metformin, discuss how excess adipose tissue may contribute to joint damage, and explain why treating metabolic health could become an important part of osteoarthritis care in the future. TOPICS COVERED • Is osteoarthritis a metabolic disease? • The concept of metabolic osteoarthritis (MetS-OA) • How obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation affect joint health • GLP-1 medications, weight loss, and osteoarthritis outcomes • Metformin and the future of disease-modifying treatments • Why strength training and muscle preservation matter for joint longevity RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED • STEP 9 Trial – Semaglutide and Osteoarthritis (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2403664) • Effect of Metformin on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Patients With Overweight or Obesity (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40274279/) • Metabolic Syndrome Meets Osteoarthritis (https://www.nature.com/articles/nrrheum.2012.135) • HOMA-IR Calculator (https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/3120/homa-ir-homeostatic-model-assessment-insulin-resistance) Ready to stop guessing and start performing? Dr. Raja is now seeing patients through his telemedicine practice — limited founding member spots available at refininghealthrx.com.