Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the general population. In recent years there has been a significant expansion of knowledge pertaining to the complex parthogenesis of this degenerative disease and the roles played in its course by the inflammatory process, the various components of cartilage, and cytokines. Improved research methods and the introduction of new medications (including selective COX-2 inhibitors) for the treatment of osteoarthritis have made it possible to develop new treatment protocols. This article discusses contemporary views on the pharmacological treatment of osteoarthritis and the possibility of influencing the symptomatology of the disease and the structure of cartilage. Promising methods of treating osteoarthritis are presented.