A new class of pain relievers that targets musculoskeletal pain
receptors, instead of more general pain pathways, could alleviate
osteoarthritis pain better than any drug now on the market, but hurdles
remain before the FDA approves it. Research on the new therapy was
published yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Osteoarthritis occurs when joint cartilage wears down, with the worst cases requiring joint replacement surgery. The pain can be unrelenting, and there's no real cure. Patients often get through the day by relying on pain relievers, typically starting with over-the-counter options such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). As the pain intensifies and people become inured to the drugs' effects, they gradually work their way up to opioids such as oxycodone.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Technology Review: Pain Treatment Is the Best Yet
Author: Lauren Gravitz
