The annual OARSI Congress is a global forum for all people involved in OA research and treatment: basic scientists from academia and industry, clinical investigators, radiologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation, allied health professionals and policy makers. In keeping with the diverse, multidisciplinary, international membership of OARSI, our meeting will feature speakers from around the world presenting up-to-date information on a wide range of topics related to joint damage and OA. This year’s program includes five plenary sessions, fourteen concurrent sessions and six breakfast sessions. As in past years, and by popular demand, there will be a debate. This year’s debate will probe whether OA is a mechanical or an inflammatory disease. In addition, two pre-congress sessions will be held, one on genetics, genomics and functional analysis of OA susceptibility and another on the actual situation of OA in Ibero-American countries.