Pain is 'cause rather than symptom of osteoarthritis'
A new study has suggested that pain is more of a cause than a symptom of osteoarthritis.
Research published in journal Arthritis and Rheumatism revealed that pain signals originating in arthritic joints, and the biochemical processing of those signals as they reach the spinal cord, spreading arthritis.
In addition, the scientists at the University of Rochester School of Medicine found that nerve pathways carrying pain signals transfer inflammation from arthritic joints to the spine and back again, causing disease at both ends.
"Until relatively recently, osteoarthritis was believed to be due solely to wear and tear, and inevitable part of ageing," said Dr Stephanos Kyrkanides, the lead researcher.
"Recent studies have revealed, however, that specific biochemical changes contribute to the disease; changes that might be reversed by precision-designed drugs.
"Our study provides the first solid proof that some of those changes are related to pain processing, and suggests the mechanisms behind the effect."
The Arthritis Research Campaign is currently funding several millions of pounds of research into basic science projects into osteoarthritis.
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