Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

196 • SERIOUS AILMENTSOSTEOARTHRITISOsteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that breaks down cartilage,causing restriction of movement and sometimes pain. It has been estimated thatin some parts of the developed world, up to 90 percent of people over 40 haveosteoarthritis in one or more joints. Severe osteoarthritis affects three times asmany women as men.CASE HISTORYDoris, 60, had suffered from osteoarthritisfor six years. It had started in the right wrist,then developed in the left. An X-ray hadrevealed bone changes in the thumb joint.Doris was not aware of any precipitativefactors. She was unable to takenonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsbecause they upset her stomach.Symptoms• Stiffness and pain in the affected joints.• Possible swelling of the joints, mostcommonly weight-bearing joints such asthose in the hips, knees, and spine.• Weakness and loss of bulk in the musclessurrounding the affected joints if they are notused regularly.• Possible deformation of affected joints.CausesThe degeneration of cartilage covering theends of bones occurs with age or as a resultof injury or overuse. The bone ends touch,causing them to thicken and thus restrictjoint movement. This results in inflammation.There may also be outgrowths on a bone calledosteophytes, which increase the pain andstiffness, and may press on blood vessels andnerves. The early onset of osteoarthritis maybe the result of a congenital joint deformity.Conventional careDiagnosis is usually possible followingexamination, but can be confirmed by X-ray.Conventional treatment is largely symptomatic,using painkillers and noncustodial antiinflammatorydrugs. Steroids are sometimesinjected into the joint. If a joint is badly worn,it may need surgical replacement with anartificial joint. Hip-replacement operations,for example, have a high success rate, butneed to be repeated after 20 to 30 years.If replacement is not an option, the jointmay be fused to prevent pain.Homeopathic medicineHomeopathic treatment of osteoarthritis ismostly localized, depending on the jointaffected, the nature of the pain, and othersymptoms. Constitutional treatment maybe required if there is a genetic tendency.Emotional or environmental factors will be lesssignificant than in other serious ailments, sinceosteoarthritis is a mechanical failure, althoughstress makes any symptoms less bearable. Thechoice of constitutional remedy will dependupon an individual’s symptoms (see page 18),but remedies commonly used include Apis,which is prescribed for inflammation ofsynovial membranes and overproductionof synovial fluid; and Silica, which is givenfor the destruction of bone and enlargedbursae (fluid-filled pads that cushion pressurepoints near a joint). Calc. carb. is indicatedfor osteoarthritis associated with growths onthe bone; and Causticum is prescribed forinflammation of the joints leading to deformity.Other constitutional remedies used includeKali. carb., Lycopodium, Merc. sol., Nat. mur.,Pulsatilla, Sepia, and Sulphur.Remedies given for acute symptomsinclude Aconite, for shooting pains in a jointaccompanied by numbness and tingling; andBelladonna, for joints that become red, swollen,and shiny quickly, and are unbearably painfulif jarred. Bryonia is prescribed for joints thatare red, swollen, and hot, with the leastmovement causing agonizing pain; and Ledumis given for joints that feel cold, are swollen,make cracking noises on moving, and arebetter for cold compresses.LifestyleA diet that is high in alkaline-forming foodsand low in acid-forming ones is beneficial. Thismeans more fish and vegetarian protein andless caffeine, sugar, citrus fruits, wheat, anddairy products. Losing excess weight willrelieve pressure on the joints. Smoking isinadvisable. Exercise such as cycling or walkingis beneficial; well-cushioned shoes should beworn. Sleeping on a firm bed and catnapsduring the day are also helpful. Yoga mayrelieve stress, and warm compresses may helpto alleviate pain. Dependency on tranquilizers,painkillers, or sleeping pills should be avoided.CAUTION• If the pain suddenly becomes moresevere, or additional joints become affected,consult a doctor within a week.PERSONAL DETAILSDoris had been a dental technician beforegetting married and having three children,the eldest of whom had died in a trafficaccident. Doris was generally happy andcontented, although she often felt restless,and worried constantly about her othertwo children, even though they had longsince left the family home. She had agreat interest in the arts andpracticed meditation.FOOD PREFERENCESDoris had a desire for mayonnaise, milk,coffee, and wine. She disliked pineapple,vinegar, coconut, and some fish.GENERAL DETAILSDoris hated cold, damp weather, whichmade her condition worse. Her joints wouldseize up during sleep and when at rest,were painful when they were first moved,then better for continuous motion. Dorisalso had a red-tipped tongue.PRESCRIPTION & FOLLOW-UPFirst of all Doris was put on an alkalinediet for arthritis, but to no avail. There wasa family history of allergy and respiratoryproblems, so she was given Tuberculinumon a weekly basis, and Rhus tox. threetimes daily for the arthritis. On this regimenthere was a slow improvement, but Doristhen developed catarrh and sinusitis. Asthe catarrh continued, however, her wristpain diminished until she could unscrewthe lid of a jar, a task that she had beenunable to do for years. She continued totake Tuberculinum until the catarrh clearedup. She was not seen for a couple ofyears, when pain recurred in her rightthumb. She was prescribed Rhus tox.again, which was effective. When Doriswas seen nine years later for anothercomplaint, she reported that her jointswere fine.