Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional

(Anon)

The great tragedy of science ~ the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact

(Andrew Huxley)

Our joints possess an extensive nerve supply whose primary function is to sense joint position and control movement. Less known, is that these nerves also serve other physiological functions such as the control of joint blood flow and maintaining joint health. My research focuses on the role of nerves in controlling joint inflammation and pain using models of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and joint injury.

A Pain Sensing Nerve Fibre

A Neurovascular Bundle

Following injury, joint nerves release a cocktail of chemicals into the joint which cause inflammatory changes such as increased blood flow, increased vascular permeability, and angiogenesis. These same agents can also sensitize the sensory nerves of the joint leading to a heightened feeling of pain. My laboratory examines the effects of various neurotransmitters on knee joint physiology by measuring each of these different parameters. For joint blood flow experiments, for example, I use state-of-the-art laser Doppler technology to map out areas of inflammation and administer various drugs to try to modulate these inflammatory changes.

With the pain research, I employ classic electrophysiological techniques to record the electrical activity of joint sensory nerves in response to trauma or arthritis. Drugs are again administered to the joint to test their effectiveness in reducing pain activity and hence be potential analgesics. This uniquely integrative approach to arthritis research in my lab will provide us with a better picture of the pathophysiological changes associated with arthritis and hopefully lead to the development of better and more meaningful drug therapies.