Treatment of OA pain remains a challenge for many healthcare providers and is unique to each patient. Understanding the challenges of OA pain therapies is imperative to effective treatment. This module explores the pain pathways and analgesic targets in OA as well as the significance of the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain and how all contributing factors dynamically interact with one another to generate the experience of pain. Finally, this module discusses non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments used for OA pain and the developing treatment options that may lead to a better quality of life for patients experiencing OA pain.

When this module is completed, you will receive the “Module 4: Understanding the Challenges of OA Pain Therapies” digital badge!

However, to receive one CME credit, you must complete all five modules.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, learners should be able to:

• Understand the neuroanatomy of the pain pathways and analgesic targets in OA
• Have a complete understanding of the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain
• Know the mechanisms of pain in OA
• Understand the available non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments for OA pain

Module Four Syllabus:

• Global Impact on Society
• Neuroanatomy of the Pain Pathway and Analgesic Targets in OA
• Biopsychosocial Model of Pain
• Mechanisms of Pain in OA
• Non-Pharmacological Treatments for OA Pain
• Pharmacological Treatments
• Research Focusing on Modification of Pain Pathways
• OA: Pain and Patient Perspective
• Initiatives for Future
• Summary
• Assessment Questions

Meet the Instructors

• 
  Jason McDougall

  Prof. McDougall was born in South Shields and educated in Scotland. He received his PhD in Joint Physiology from the University of Glasgow and subsequently undertook postdoctoral training in Canada, Germany and Spain. Prof. McDougall’s research focuses on the neurobiology of pain and inflammation in the development of arthritis. His research goal is to identify novel drug targets and develop new treatments which will help alleviate chronic pain and resolve joint inflammation.

• 
  David Andrew Walsh

  David Walsh is Professor of Rheumatology at the University of Nottingham and Consultant Rheumatologist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. In 2010 he established the Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre in Nottingham, together with a multidisciplinary research team which includes preclinical neurosciences, psychology, neuroimaging, orthopaedics, genetics, epidemiology and evidence synthesis. The Centre aims to develop new and improved treatments through a translational research programme into the mechanisms by which changes within the joint and in the nervous system interact with psychosocial factors to produce arthritis pain. His preclinical research has focused on structural changes that contribute to joint pain, in particular angiogenesis, nerve growth, inflammation and matrix turnover in the synovium and subchondral bone. His clinical research is defining the spectrum of pain phenotypes in people with arthritis based on underlying pain mechanisms, in order to better target treatments to those most likely to benefit. In 2017 he became the first lead for the Musculoskeletal Theme at the launch of the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and represents Nottingham on the NIHR musculoskeletal Translational Research Collaboration. He was a member of the Guideline Development Group for NICE guidelines on the management of low back pain and sciatica, and continues clinical practice in rheumatology and low back pain.