Understanding the Structure-symptom Discordance in Osteoarthritic Pain
Treating chronic musculoskeletal pain and chronic joint pain (osteoarthritis) in particular, is challenging as the
peripheral and central pain mechanisms have not been fully discovered. The pain associated with joint discomfort
is highly variable, often underestimated by clinicians and shows only modest association with crude radiological
scorings. One reason for the disconnect between the extent of structural damage and pain is neuroplastic
changes occurring in the peripheral and central nervous system resulting in pain sensitisation impacting the
patient’s experience of pain.
Modern Medicine – October 2017
