Relation of pain mechanisms to development of knee pain in osteoarthritis in the multicenter osteoarthritis study

Abstract

Purpose: The mechanism by which intermittent, activity-related or weight-bearing pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA) progresses to more persistent pain is not clear. Peripheral and central pain sensitization have been associated with pain severity, and abnormal descending pain modulation has been postulated to also be important in the pain experience, but as yet little is known about its role in those with knee OA. Whether any of these mechanisms impact the risk of developing knee pain, more pain severity, and/or change in pain patterns from intermittent to more persistent pain is not clear.