As an essential nutrient and trace element, is required for living organisms and its beneficial roles in human health have been well recognized. The role ofis mainly played through selenoproteins synthesized by the metabolic system. Selenoproteins have a wide range of cellular functions including regulation of transport, thyroid hormones, immunity, and redox homeostasis. deficiency contributes to various diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, liver disease, and arthropathy-Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and osteoarthritis (OA). A skeletal developmental disorder, KBD has been reported in low- areas of China, North Korea, and the Siberian region of Russia, and can be alleviated by supplementation. OA, the most common form of arthritis, is a degenerative disease caused by an imbalance in matrix metabolism and is characterized by cartilage destruction. Oxidative stress serves as a major cause of the initiation of OA pathogenesis. deficiency and dysregulation of selenoproteins are associated with impairments to redox homeostasis in cartilage. We review the recently explored roles of metabolism and selenoproteins in cartilage with an emphasis on two arthropathies, KBD and OA. Moreover, we discuss the potential of therapeutic strategies targeting the biological functions of and selenoproteins for OA treatment.