The innervation of synovium of human osteoarthritic joints in comparison with normal rat and sheep synovium

Inflammatory changes in the synovium of OA joints are associated with a massive destruction of the capillary and neuronal network which is present in normal synovium. Due to the disappearance of the sensory fibres it is unlikely that OA pain is initiated directly in the synovium. The loss of normally innervated vascularisation may have multiple consequences for the physiological functions of the synovium.