OSTEO ARTHRITIS

OSTEO ARTHRITIS – A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO A COMMON DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISORDER.

                

The word arthritis means inflammation of the joint ("arthr" meaning joint and "itis" meaning inflammation). Inflammation is a medical term describing pain, stiffness, redness and swelling. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It is also known as degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, wear-and-tear arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the entire joint involving the cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and underlying bone. The breakdown of these tissues eventually leads to pain and joint stiffness. The joints most commonly affected are the knees, hips, and those in the hands and spine. The specific causes of OA are unknown, but are believed to be a result of both mechanical and molecular events in the affected joint. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

Causes of Osteoarthritis:

·        Osteoarthritis occurs when there is damage in and around the joints that the body cannot fully repair.

·        It's not clear exactly why this happens in some people, although chances of developing the condition can be influenced by a number of factors, such as age and weight.

·        Osteoarthritis usually develops in people over 45 years of age, although   younger people can also be affected.

·        It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not quite true. but may in fact be able to reduce chances of developing the condition by doing regular, gentle exercises and maintaining a healthy weight.

·        Other risk factors for OA include obesity, a job that puts stress on the joints, joint injury and joint malformation.

·        Changes in sex hormone levels may play a role in the development of OA as it is more prevalent among postmenopausal women than among men of the same age.

Clinical Manifestations

Osteoarthritis symptoms usually develop gradually. At first, there may be soreness or stiffness that seems more like a nuisance than a medical concern. 

Common symptoms include:

§        Sore or stiff joints – particularly the hips, knees, and lower back – after inactivity or overuse.

§        Stiffness after resting that goes away after movement.

§        Pain that is worse after activity or toward the end of the day.

§        Osteoarthritis, or OA, may also affect the neck, small finger joints, the base of the thumb, ankle, and big toe.

§        The pain may be moderate and come and go, without affecting the ability to perform daily tasks.  Some people’s OA will never progress past this early stage. Others will have their OA get worse. The pain and stiffness of more severe osteoarthritis may make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, sleep, or perform other daily tasks. 

§        Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint.  Classic bony enlargement of the small joint at the end of the fingers is called a Heberden's node

Diagnosis

§        Complete physical examination – Include inspection of affected joint, movement, stiffness, tenderness, swelling and other important findings.

§        X-ray knee – Cartilage doesn't show up on X-ray images, but cartilage loss is revealed by a narrowing of the space between the bones in joint. An X-ray may also show bone spurs around a joint. Some people may have X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis before they experience any symptoms.

§        Joint fluid analysis - Examining and testing the fluid from joint can determine if there's inflammation and if pain is caused by gout or an infection.

§        MRI – MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including cartilage. MRI isn't commonly needed to diagnose osteoarthritis but may help provide more information in complex cases.

§        Blood tests – Blood tests may help rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

MANAGEMENT

Lifestyle changes and home treatments also can help reduce osteoarthritis symptoms.

Exercise: Exercise can increase endurance and strengthen the muscles around joint, making joint more stable. Try walking, biking or swimming. If feel new joint pain, stop. New pain that lasts for hours after exercise probably means you've overdone it but doesn't mean you should stop exercising altogether.

Lose weight: Being overweight or obese increases the stress on weight-bearing joints, such as knees and hips. Even a small amount of weight loss can relieve some pressure and reduce your pain. Most people combine changes in their diet with increased exercise.

Use heat and cold to manage pain: Both heat and cold can relieve pain in joint. Heat also relieves stiffness, and cold can relieve muscle spasms and pain.

Sleep well:  A good night's sleep will help you cope with the pain and stress of arthritis. To sleep better, try going to bed at the same time every night. 

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homoeopathy is one of the most popular holistic systems of medicine. The selection of remedy is based upon the theory of individualization and symptoms similarity by using holistic approach. This is the only way through which a state of complete health can be regained by removing all the sign and symptoms from which the patient is suffering. The aim of homoeopathy is not only to treat osteoarthritis but to address its underlying cause and individual susceptibility. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several well-proved remedies are available for osteoarthritis which can be selected on the basis of cause, location, sensation, modalities and extension of the complaints. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homoeopathic doctor in person.

Some important arthritis remedies are given below which are much helpful in treatment of osteoarthritis:

Indicated Remedies	Indications
Aconitum napellus	This remedy may be helpful for pain and inflammation that comes on suddenly after exposure to cold wind and weather. The person is likely to feel fearful, panicked, or agitated.
Apis mellifica	This remedy can be helpful in acute conditions with redness, tenderness, and swelling. Joints feel hot and have stinging pain. The hands and knees are often affected. Warmth can aggravate the symptoms and cool applications bring relief.
Arnica	Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness can indicate a need for this remedy. Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.
Belladonna	Sudden flare-ups of arthritis with a sensation of heat and throbbing pain indicate a need for this remedy. The joints look red and inflamed, and the surface may feel hot to the touch.
Bryonia	This remedy can be useful for tearing or throbbing pain that is worse from any motion. Rest and pressure may bring relief (if the pressure adds stability), but movement is intolerable. Cold applications often reduce discomfort.
Calcarea carbonica	This remedy is often useful for arthritis in a person who is chilly, flabby or overweight, and easily tired by exertion. Inflammation and soreness are worse from cold and dampness, and weakness or cramping in the extremities are often seen. Problems often focus on the knees when Calcarea is needed.
Calcarea phosphorica	Stiffness and soreness of the joints, worse from drafts and cold, may be relieved by this remedy. Aching in the bones and tiredness are common, and the person feels worse from exertion. Calcium deposits or bone-spurs may develop, especially in the neck. A feeling of dissatisfaction and a strong desire for travel or a change of circumstances are often seen in individuals who need this remedy.
Calcarea fluorica	This remedy is often indicated for arthritic pains that are improved by heat and motion. Joints become enlarged and hard, and nodosities or bone spurs may develop. Arthritis after chronic injury to joints often responds to Calcarea fluorica.
Cimicifuga	Severe aching and stiffness that is worse from cold may respond to this remedy, especially if the neck or larger joints are affected. Shooting pains or twitching can be felt in the area, and inflammation may be worse around the menstrual period.
Dulcamara	If a person has a flare-up of arthritis during cold damp weather, after getting wet and chilled, or when coming down with a cold, this remedy may be helpful. People who need this remedy are often stout, with a tendency toward allergies and back pain.
Kali carbonicum	If the joints have begun to get thickened or deformed, and discomfort is worse from cold and dampness, this remedy may help to bring relief. People who need this remedy are often dutiful and conservative, and tend to feel anxiety in the stomach.
Kalmia latiflora	Intense arthritic pain that appears quite suddenly may indicate this remedy—especially when the problems start in higher joints and extend to lower ones. Pain and inflammation often start in the shoulder, moving to the elbow, wrist and hand. The knees are also frequently affected. Discomfort is worse from motion and often worse at night.
Ledum palustre	Arthritis that starts in lower joints and extends to higher ones suggests a need for this remedy. Pain and inflammation often begin in the toes and spread up through the ankles and knees. The joints may make cracking sounds and may be very swollen. Cold applications bring relief to both the pain and swelling.
Pulsatilla	Pain that moves unpredictably from one joint to another suggests a need for this remedy. The hips and knees are often affected, and pain may be felt in the heels. Symptoms are worse from warmth, and better from cold applications and open air. A person who needs this remedy often is moody and changeable, and usually wants a lot of attention and comforting.
Rhus toxicodendron	Arthritis with pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning and worse in cold, wet weather suggests a need for this remedy. The person may feel extremely restless. Both warmth and motion improve the symptoms in the joints, as well as the person’s general state.
Ruta graveolens	Arthritis with a feeling of great stiffness and lameness, worse from cold and damp, and worse from exertion often is relieved by this remedy. Tendons and the capsules of the joints may be affected. Arthritis may have developed after overuse, from repeated wear and tear.