BACKGROUND:Piezo-type mechanosensitive ion channel components(PIEZO)play a crucial role in cartilage degeneration,inflammation,and pain in osteoarthritis by sensing mechanical stimulation and regulating calcium signaling,potentially serving as an important therapeutic target for osteoarthritis. OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the role of PIEZO ion channels in the pathological mechanisms of osteoarthritis and evaluate their potential as a novel therapeutic target. METHODS:The first author searched CNKI and PubMed databases using Chinese keywords such as"mechanical stress,Piezo,osteoarthritis,chondrocytes,osteoblast,osteoclasts,synovial cells,immune cells,"and English keywords such as"Piezo1,osteoarthritis,chondrocyte,osteoblast,osteoclast,synovial membrane,immune cell,GsMTx4."Articles published between 2000 and 2025 were selected,and 102 articles were ultimately included in this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Mechanical stress plays a central role in the degenerative changes of articular cartilage and surrounding tissues.Prolonged excessive mechanical stress or uneven loading can cause chondrocyte damage,apoptosis,and inflammatory responses,thereby accelerating the progression of osteoarthritis.Currently known mechanoreceptors include the transient receptor potential channel family,the two-pore potassium channel family,the degenerative factor/epithelial sodium channel family,and the integrin family.The PIEZO family is the first group of mechanosensitive cation channel porins discovered in mammalian cells.Widely distributed in human cells,they control Ca2+influx by sensing changes in environmental pressure,thus affecting cell function.PIEZO ion channels regulate Ca2+influx by sensing mechanical stimulation of the cell membrane,thereby affecting chondrocytes,osteoblasts,synovial cells,immune cells,and pain perception.Inhibiting PIEZO ion channels may be an effective method for treating arthritis.