ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of microRNA (miRNA) in the osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage matrix degradation. MethodsThe domestic and foreign related literature about the miRNA in the OA cartilage matrix degradation was reviewed, summarized, and analyzed. ResultsOA is a common chronic joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration, its etiology and pathogenesis are still not completely clear. miRNA, a kind of small single stranded non-coding RNA molecule, is closely correlated with inflammatory mediators and various cytokines during the cartilage matrix degradation, suggesting that miRNAs have important regulatory functions at the molecule and cellular levels. ConclusionmiRNA can serve as potential biomarkers and will give new insight into diagnosis and therapeutic strategies in OA.