Article

Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent, disabling, and costly pathologies of
modern society. Among the main aims of osteoarthritis management are pain control
and functional ability improvement. The exact cause of osteoarthritis pain
remains unclear. In addition to the pathological changes in articular structures,
changes in central pain processing or central sensitization appear to be involved
in osteoarthritis pain. The latter calls for a broader approach to the management
of patients with osteoarthritis. Yet, the scientific literature offers scant
information addressing the treatment of central sensitization, specifically in
patients with osteoarthritis. Interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy
and neuroscience education potentially target cognitive-emotional sensitization
(and descending facilitation), and centrally acting drugs and exercise therapy
can improve endogenous analgesia (descending inhibition) in patients with
osteoarthritis. Future studies should assess these new treatment avenues.

Langue : ANGLAIS