NeoSomaTech
Can an exoskeleton slow down knee osteoarthritis?
The answer in detail
To our knowledge, no official source we have read shows that an exoskeleton slows knee osteoarthritis. An exoskeleton can lighten the load on the joint during effort, but lightening a load is not the same as changing the course of a disease.
The French health insurer is clear on the substance: no treatment can cure knee osteoarthritis, but its progression can be slowed by medical measures, rehabilitation and lifestyle. The page we consulted does not name exoskeletons among these measures.
What the sources say
Here is what the French health insurer says in its 22 January 2026 page on treating knee osteoarthritis.
- Rehabilitation: it preserves joint mobility and keeps muscle mass.
- Weight: weight loss, when needed, is always beneficial, because excess weight worsens the progression of osteoarthritis.
- Knee brace: wearing one can reduce the pressure on the affected area of the knee.
- Medication: paracetamol first, then anti-inflammatories for a short time during flare-ups.
- Surgery: arthroscopy, osteotomy or a joint replacement, considered only after medical treatments have failed.
On the manufacturer's side, our product page for the Ski-Mojo refers to joint protection over time. That is a manufacturer claim: we could not confirm it with an independent study. The manufacturer itself states that its main purpose is not lateral knee support.
Depending on your situation
If you have knee osteoarthritis, an exoskeleton may relieve certain efforts, for example in skiing or walking, but it is not a treatment for the disease. The foundation remains what the French health insurer describes: supervised rehabilitation, an appropriate weight, adapted physical activity and regular medical follow-up with your doctor.
To compare knee support solutions, read our guide to the knee exoskeleton.
What to ask your doctor
These questions, to raise at your next appointment, help place the exoskeleton relative to recognized treatments.
- Is a brace or an exoskeleton suited to my type of osteoarthritis and my activities?
- Which activities should I favor or avoid to spare my knee?
- Is a rehabilitation or adapted physical activity program indicated for me?
- How often should the progression of my osteoarthritis be assessed?
Key takeaways
Nothing in the sources we have read shows that an exoskeleton slows knee osteoarthritis. The French health insurer reminds us that no treatment cures it and that rehabilitation, weight and sometimes a brace can slow its progression. Treat the exoskeleton as an aid for effort, not as a treatment. This is not medical advice: talk to your doctor or rheumatologist before getting equipped.