Mechanisms and Mediators That Drive Arthritis Pain.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis and each can differ greatly in their aetiology and pathophysiology; however, one characteristic that is common to all arthritic conditions is joint pain. Musculoskeletal pain is the leading cause of disability in the world, and the number one reason arthritis patients visit their primary care physician. Despite the prevalence and burden of arthritis pain, current analgesics lack sufficient efficacy and are plagued by multiple adverse side effects. In this review, we outline the current landscape of research concerning joint pain, drawing from both preclinical and clinical studies. Specifically, this review is a discussion of the different neurophysiological processes that occur during joint disease and how inflammatory and neuropathic aspects contribute to the development of arthritis pain.