Perruccio AV, Yip C, Power JD, et al. - Findings indicate that among individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) without activity limitations, enhanced social participation may indicate proactive steps adopted by those with mild OA to maintain activity as well as social engagement. In the presence of activity limitations, interventions are required to mitigate limitations as well as to draw specific attention to the value of both provision and awareness of available instrumental supports in maintaining social participation.

• Data from 21,214 respondents, ages 45–85 years, from cycle 1 of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, were obtained, and 26.5% reported presence of OA.

• Experts found two distinct social participation indicators, including social participation–diversity and social participation–intensity.

• There was minimal/no link between OA and social participation when intervening variables were not considered.

• Considering intervening variables revealed unique pathways connecting OA and social participation.

• In the absence of activity limitations, greater social participation was observed with OA.