Inflammatory pain

Inflammatory pain is pain that arises when inflammatory chemicals released by injured or infected tissue sensitize nearby nerve endings, making the area tender and sore.

It is one of the main categories of pain alongside neuropathic pain from nerve damage and nociplastic pain from altered central processing. Mediators such as prostaglandins, bradykinin and cytokines lower the threshold of pain receptors, so ordinary pressure or movement becomes painful and the region feels warm and swollen. Examples include a sprained ankle, a dental abscess, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

Assessment focuses on identifying the source of inflammation through examination, imaging and blood markers, since pain usually eases as inflammation resolves. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, ice and treatment of the underlying condition are standard approaches. Cannabidiol has shown anti-inflammatory and pain-related signals in preclinical studies, and whether these translate to people depends on the specific condition studied.