Inflammatory pain results from the natural response that follows tissue damage. When cellular tissue is injured, a complicated cascade of chemical events is set in motion in and around the damaged area that is meant to protect and repair of the tissue. However, the combination of tissue damage and inflammation also results in pain. Further, in some cases, the inflammation itself can cause permanent damage and lead to chronic pain.
The most common treatment for inflammatory pain is the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs provide partial relief for patients with lower levels of pain, although they can be associated with gastrointestinal side effects. More serious levels of pain may require opioids, which are burdened by serious side effects. A therapy that was more efficacious than NSAIDs, but had an improved side effect profile relative to opioids would be a significant improvement in the field of inflammatory pain.
