Journal of Orthopaedic Research · Nov 10, 2026
International Consensus Meeting on Preclinical Models of Osteoarthritis: Summary From the Aging Section
By Zhu S, Jeffries MA, Allen KD et al.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly heterogeneous disease, with aging as its strongest risk factor. However, much of the preclinical OA research disproportionately relies on post‐traumatic OA (PTOA) models in young animals. To address this gap, the Aging Section of the 2026 International Consensus Meeting (ICM) on Preclinical Models of OA convened experts and used the Delphi method to provide consensus guidance on studying age‐associated OA. Eighteen questions concerning pain, biomechanics, genetics, metabolism, sex/hormonal differences and translational modeling were evaluated and voted upon at the 2026 Orthopedic Research Society (ORS) annual meeting. The consensus concluded that although age‐associated OA and post‐traumatic OA (PTOA) share pathological features, they are characterized by distinct mechanistic profiles, particularly in their inflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction, and tissue‐remodeling processes. Furthermore, delegates concluded that age‐associated OA is a manifestation of broader aging biology, influenced by the hallmarks of aging, systemic physiology and interacting joint tissues. When evaluating these complex interactions, the available data demonstrate that no single ideal animal model exists. Instead, researchers must utilize a fit‐for‐purpose model ecosystem that explicitly accounts for sex, endocrine aging, and genetic background. The consensus also recommends employing multimodal outcome measures spanning structural, behavioral, and molecular domains rather than relying solely on structural pathology. Ultimately, age‐associated models should serve as a complementary framework to PTOA models. Integrating this specific biological context is essential to improve translational relevance and identify biologically relevant mechanism‐based interventions for the aging patient populations most affected by the disorder.