Metformin is commonly prescribed for diabetes, but new research shows people with arthritis in their knees may get relief from daily use of metformin. The Australian study involved more than one hundred participants with knee osteoarthritis and overweight. None had diabetes. After six months of daily metformin, the participants reported about one-third less knee pain and possibly delaying the need for expensive and invasive knee replacement surgery. The study, reported in JAMA, notes current arthritic kneed treatments include pain medications or creams which may have limited and temporary benefits. Authors say the results suggest metformin is a potentially new and affordable way to improve knee pain from osteoarthritis.