By Marc Dellière, Medical Consultant & Trainer – Specialist in Stress, Prevention & Integrative Health
What if osteoarthritis wasn't just mechanical “wear and tear”?
Evidence is mounting that it is fueled by low-grade inflammation, which is local but sometimes systemic, especially in patients with obesity, metabolic syndrome, or inflammaging.
This dual local and systemic component accelerates cartilage degradation.
A moderately elevated CRP-us (or hs-CRP) is sufficient to predict disease progression (Gao et al., 2025).
Some patients even have an inflammatory endotype, identifiable by biomarkers and imaging, paving the way for more personalized care (van den Bosch, 2024).
Treating this inflammatory condition does more than just relieve pain: it slows down the progression of the disease, preserves mobility, and protects quality of life.
Osteoarthritis: mechanical wear andNon-pharmacological approaches
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrition (fruits, vegetables, rapeseed, oily fish),
- Appropriate exercise,
- Weight loss,
- Stress management,
- Supplements (Xelflex®, omega-3, hydrolyzed collagen).
Clinical and biological focus
Some patients have an inflammatory endotype, defined by:
- Biomarkers: moderate hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, adipokines; composite indices (SII, SIRI).
- Imaging: mild synovitis, hypervascularization, small effusions (MRI, ultrasound).-
- Clinical: fluctuating pain, rapid progression, better response to approaches targeting inflammation.
Learn more about Xelflex® for joint health!
Scientific sources :
✍️ Terkawi, M. A., et al. (2022). Low-grade inflammation in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: Cellular and molecular mechanisms and strategies for future therapeutic intervention. Biomedicines, 10(5), 1109. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10051109
✍️ Van den Bosch, M. H. J. (2024). Inflammation in osteoarthritis: Our view on its presence and implications. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 32(5), 613-622. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2024.01.0208
✍️ Gao, T., et al. (2025). Association between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and osteoarthritis in adults from NHANES 2015–2018. Scientific Reports, 15, 89253. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89253-0