I agree with your point of view about "maintain balance". However, individual joint might have its own etiologic factors for OA and the question should specify a target joint. For example, we have been investigating the medial plica related medial abrasion syndrome as an important etiologic factor for OA knee and have accordingly conceptualized a novel treatment option (KHPO) which has been conducted for more than five years and have brought happy life to more and more patients. The positive feedback from these patients persuades us to believe that OA knee could be cured and we could modify its natural course by early intervention. For more details, please read my publications.

http://www.intechopen.com/books/osteoarthritis-diagnosis-treatment-and-surgery/knee-health-promotion-option-for-osteoarthritic-knee-cartilage-regeneration-is-possible

This is another recent publication about the possibility of modification of the natural course of OA knee by minimal invasive procedure.

Article Arthroscopic Cartilage Regeneration Facilitating Procedure f...