Periostin (POSTN), as an extracellular matrix protein, is expressed at a low level in most normal tissues and cells, but highly expressed in pathological sites. POSTN leads to the occurrence and development of disease by binding to integrins on the cell surface and activating many signaling pathways such as Wnt/ β-catenin, NF- κ B and so on. In recent years, it has been found that POSTN is highly expressed in chondrocytes of osteoarthritis (OA), and accelerates the progress of OA by promoting the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and up-regulating inflammatory factors in chondrocytes. Moreover, recent studies have shown that the expression of POSTN is also increased in degenerative intervertebral disc cells, and POSTN may be a key factor in the regulation of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). In addition, POSTN can also promote bone formation, regeneration and repair, and provide a new direction for the treatment of osteoporosis. This article reviews the characteristic and mechanism of POSTN in the regulation of bone degenerative diseases.