Arthritis is one of the most common conditions I see in clinic, and one of the first questions patients ask me is simple: is there a cure for arthritis? It is a fair question. When you are in pain and struggling to move the way you want to, it is natural to hope for a solution that fixes the problem once and for all.
In this article I will explain what a “cure” really means, the difference between symptom relief and a biological cure, and what the latest science says about treatments such as stem cell therapy and MBST.
What Do We Mean by a Cure?
Before we can answer the question, we need to define what a cure is. There are two ways to look at it:
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Complete resolution of symptoms: pain goes, movement returns, and you can get back to doing what you enjoy.
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Biological cure: cartilage regrows, tissue is restored, and the joint is returned to a normal state.
If you define cure as symptom relief, then yes, we do have treatments that can help many people. If you define cure as reversing the biological changes of arthritis, then the answer is different.
Symptom Relief: What Actually Works
Current NHS and private treatment options can be very effective for managing symptoms:
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Physiotherapy: targeted strength and mobility programmes often reduce or even remove pain. Many of my patients have returned to tennis, running, or simply walking without discomfort.
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Injections: steroid, hyaluronic acid, or PRP injections can give months of relief, although they are not permanent solutions.
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Joint replacement surgery: hip and knee replacements reliably improve pain and function for many years, but they replace the joint rather than cure it.
These treatments can make you pain-free, but they do not reverse the underlying joint degeneration.
Experimental Treatments That Claim to Be a Cure
A number of treatments are marketed as “regenerative” or even “curative” for arthritis. The reality is more complicated.
Stem Cell Therapy
The idea is that stem cells injected into a joint can regrow cartilage. Small studies, such as one in South Korea in 2016 involving around 50 patients, reported minor changes on MRI scans, but these results have not been replicated in large, high-quality trials. At present the evidence is too weak to call it a cure.
MBST (Magnetic Resonance Therapy)
This treatment claims to regenerate tissue using magnetic fields. Evidence is extremely limited and largely anecdotal. A handful of clinics report symptom improvements, but without large controlled studies it cannot be considered a reliable treatment.
Other Approaches
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Gene therapy: currently tested mostly in animal studies, aimed at slowing or halting cartilage breakdown.
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Nutraceuticals: glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric, and similar supplements. Some patients report feeling better, but there is no proof they regenerate tissue.
Why Cartilage Stops Repairing Itself
Hyaline cartilage is not a dead material. In a healthy joint it remodels slowly, maintained by specialised cells called chondrocytes. These cells build new collagen and proteoglycans and recycle old tissue, keeping the cartilage healthy.
In arthritis, chondrocytes become stressed and dysfunctional. Instead of repairing tissue, they release enzymes and inflammatory chemicals that accelerate cartilage breakdown. The limited self-repair system effectively shuts down, and joint surfaces thin and roughen. Unlike bone, cartilage has no blood supply and very little healing capacity, which is why once damage is established it is almost impossible to reverse.
This is the key reason why there is no biological cure for arthritis today.
The Honest Answer
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If by “cure” you mean living without symptoms, then yes, many people achieve this with physiotherapy, injections, or surgery.
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If by “cure” you mean reversing the underlying biology and regrowing cartilage, the answer is no.
That does not mean there is no hope. Research into disease-modifying drugs and biologics is ongoing, and future treatments may eventually switch the cartilage repair system back on. For now, the most effective approach is clear:
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Stay strong through regular strength training.
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Keep active and manage your weight.
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Use evidence-based treatments when needed.