A diabetes drug called semaglutide might help regrow knee cartilage in people with obesity and arthritis — something doctors used to think wasn't possible.

In people with obesity and knee osteoarthritis, taking semaglutide is linked to greater thickness of cartilage in the parts of the knee that bear weight.

Semaglutide, a medication used for weight management, may help protect joint cartilage and decrease inflammation in osteoarthritis even when it does not cause weight loss.

Semaglutide might help repair worn-down joint cartilage in people with osteoarthritis, making the cushioning in their joints thicker and healthier again.

Semaglutide might help protect knee cartilage and reduce joint swelling in osteoarthritis, even without people losing weight.

Semaglutide might help slow down joint damage in people with metabolic issues, even beyond just helping them lose weight — it could be protecting the joints directly.