Significant model genes included MARCKS, ZFAND5, BCL6, FOSL2, ELL2, and SGCD. Validation of the risk prognosis model via ROC curve analysis from datasets GSE114007, GSE55457, and GSE12021 showed AUCs over 0.8 (Figures 4D–F), evidencing robust model efficacy in forecasting osteoarthritis prognosis, and highlighting its potential utility in clinical settings. Here, ZFAND5 is linked to osteoarthritis.