ObjectiveThis study examines the lived experience and daily impact of hip and knee osteoarthritis pain in Black and White Canadians in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn interpretative description approach was used. Recruitment was tailored to engage a diverse sample. During semi-structured, one-on-one interviews, participants reflected on their pain, its impact, and strategies for its management. A constant comparative approach was used. Standardized questionnaires collected gender, race, and OA severity to describe the sample.ResultsThirty participants (15 Black, 15 White) with moderate knee and hip symptoms participated. OA pain was experienced on two continua. A continuum of control ranged from OA pain versus the participant controlling decisions to participate in daily activities. A continuum of certainty ranged from doubting versus feeling confident in the ability to manage OA pain. These continua intersected, creating quadrants. Pain controlling decisions and uncertainty led to a quadrant of feeling worn out. Pain controlling decisions and certainty resulted in a quadrant of unmet expectations. The participant controlling decisions combined with uncertainty was experienced as coping. The participant controlling decisions combined with certainty in managing OA pain created overcoming. Contextual factors that influenced these continua included COVID-19 restrictions, housing, employment, interactions with healthcare providers, and health literacy.ConclusionParticipants’ experiences of OA pain were linked to the sense of control in daily decisions and certainty in managing OA pain, reflecting concepts of locus of control and self-efficacy. Sociocultural factors, life experiences, and issues such as employment, housing, COVID-19 restrictions, and health literacy shaped these experiences.Key Points• Among Black and White Canadians with knee and/or hip OA, pain was experienced on two continua regarding control and certainty.• A continuum of control ranged from pain versus the participant controlling daily decisions to participate in activities. A continuum of certainty ranged from doubting versus feeling confident in the ability to manage OA pain.• These continua intersected, such that participants who controlled daily decisions and felt certain in their ability to manage OA pain experienced overcoming.• Contextual factors such as barriers to physical activity due to COVID-19, housing, employment, interactions with healthcare providers, and health literacy influenced OA pain experiences.