Pain assessment in animal models of osteoarthritis

•We review methods for assessing pain in animal models of osteoarthritis.•An individual's interpretation of pain sensory input impedes objective evaluation.•Emotional and cognitive components of pain perception affect assessment.

Assessment of pain in animal models of osteoarthritis is integral to interpretation of a model's utility in representing the clinical condition, and enabling accurate translational medicine. Here we describe behavioral pain assessments available for small and large experimental osteoarthritic pain animal models.