Nutrition in Osteoarthritis care: expanding the physical therapist's role in multimodal management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of pain, disability, and reduced quality of life worldwide and has traditionally been managed through exercise, physical activity, and symptom-focused rehabilitation. However, growing evidence suggests that OA is not solely a mechanical "wear-and-tear" condition but a multifactorial disease influenced by chronic low-grade inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and lifestyle behaviors. This evolving understanding highlights nutrition as a potentially important, yet underutilized, component of comprehensive OA management. Physical therapists are well positioned to address lifestyle factors that affect musculoskeletal health. Practical strategies include screening for nutrition risk factors, incorporating nutrition-related discussions into patient education, promoting healthy dietary behaviors, and collaborating with registered dietitian nutritionist when individualized counseling is required. Barriers such as limited nutrition training and uncertainty regarding scope of practice remain challenges. The purpose of this commentary is to examine the emerging role of nutrition in OA care and discuss how physical therapists can incorporate evidence-based nutrition education within interdisciplinary practice.