ObjectiveTo review the research progress focused on the effects of strontium ranelate (SR) on osteoarthritis. MethodsThe relevant literature about the effects and mechanism of SR intervening osteoarthritis in recent years was extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed. ResultsSR not only could improve the microenvironment of bone metabolism in articular cartilage with osteoarthritis, promote activity of osteoblasts, and inhibit activity of osteoclasts, but also could adjust the expression of key proteases which affect cartilage formation, and therefore it has a potential protective effect on subchondral bone during the progression of osteoarthritis cartilage. ConclusionSR is expected to become a drug of osteoarthritis disease remission, but further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of SR in osteoarthritis, and finally confirm the best application dosage of SR in osteoarthritis treatment.