This study investigated the effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) initiated after the onset of arthritis in rats. Rats were injected with 3 % kaolin/carrageenan in the knee joint and randomized to the control, immobilization (IM), or CPM group. The knee joints of the IM and CPM groups were immobilized with a cast for 56 days. In the CPM group, CPM exercise was administered for 60 min/day (6 times/week). Joint transverse diameter and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed as indicators of inflammation, and paw withdrawal response (PWR) was assessed as indicator of secondary hyperalgesia. Central sensitization was analyzed by measuring calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression levels in the spinal dorsal horn. In the CPM group, the PPT was significantly increased compared with the IM group from 14 to 35 days, and PWR was significantly decreased from 14 to 56 days. Additionally, CGRP expression in the super facial layer (I-II) of the spinal dorsal horn (L4-5) in the CPM group was significantly decreased compared with the IM group. Our study found the CPM initiated after the onset of arthritis promoted the recovery of inflammation and mitigated secondary hyperalgesia.