Simplified ways to explain and compare different types of pain
| Autoimmune inflammatory arthritis | Osteoarthritis or mechanical arthritis | Nociplastic pain or fibromyalgia |
|---|---|---|
| Autoimmune inflammation of the joints or tissue Presence of red, hot, swollen joints with palpable joint fluid and warmth Symptoms most pronounced in the morning and starts improving after 30 to 60 minutes of moving Rest aggravates pain and stiffness Responds to low-to-moderate dose of steroid; symptoms return after medication cessation | Related to tissue injury or degeneration Can have transient morning pain and stiffness lasting less than 15 to 30 minutes Pain worsens with activity and joint use throughout the day Symptoms more prominent in the evenings, especially when joints were used more throughout the day Rest makes the pain better except for transient pain and stiffness when getting up after a period of rest (ie, gelling phenomenon) | Heightened pain sensitivity at the brain and spinal cord level Pain is usually widespread with associated diffuse tenderness Related fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, or irritable bowel symptoms Worsens with poor sleep and stress |
Based on information from reference 7.