Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant world-wide health problem owing to the progressive and debilitating nature of the condition which results in high morbidity and a marked decrease in the quality of life. Significant advances in the medical and surgical management of OA have resulted from an understanding of the fundamental pathways governing the health and disease of synovial joint tissues. Continuing investigations into the nature of synovial joint pathophysiology at both the molecular and biochemical level should pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, including gene therapy and tissue engineering, in the treatment of the OA patient.