Treatment of chronic bilateral knee pain without objective clinical findings: Central sensitization. A case report

Abstract Chronic knee pain without clinical objective findings is a common clinical challenge, yet this is rarely reported in the scientific literature. The purpose of the present article is to describe the investigation and treatment of a case with central sensitization related to knee pain. This case report concerns a patient who, during a period of 2½ years and in the absence of objective findings, developed central sensitization. An initial 6 months of medical and physiotherapeutic examinations and treatments resulted in no decrease of pain or increase in function. A threefold treatment approach was then initiated consisting of a combination of medication, physical exercise and cognitive treatment. After two years, this treatment resulted in decreased knee pain, a lessening of depression, and a gradual improvement in the patient’s t overall daily function. The results suggest that knee pain related to central sensitization may be treated with good results.