Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the commonest form of arthritis caused by gradual, progressive degeneration of the joint cartilage (pad) with advancing age.

It is characterised by –

1. Pain and stiffness in the affected joint (usually a joint of the lower limb) which increase very gradually over the years,
2. Absence of any real swelling, redness or warmth in the affected joint,
3. Presence of a typical crackling noise (called crepitus) on moving the joint and 
4. Formation of new bone (in the form of projections called osteophytes) along the joint-margin. 

Treatment

Check if most symptoms of any of these remedies match with most of your symptoms:

Arnica 30:

Osteoarthritis following an injury to (e.g., a fracture of) a joint. Apart from pain and stiffness, there is a sore, beaten-up gelling in the joint. Everything, on which the affected joint lies, seems too hard. Joint-pains are worse from touch (massage) or heat (unlike Rhus tox). Resting the affected joint dose not relieve pain.

Bryonia 30:

Joint pain which gets worse from least motion or exertion but improves with absolute rest (compare Rhus tox). Applying heat to the joint or lying on it helps (compare Arnica). Pressing, massaging or bandaging the joint also helps.

Calc phos 30 :

Osteoarthritis in lean, emaciated persons. Apart from pain and stiffness, there is a sensation of numbness and crawling in the affected joint. Symptoms are worse in damp, cold weather but better in hot, dry weather.

Causticum 30:

Chronic osteoarthritis with joint-deformities from contractures of muscles. Pain is worse in clear fine weather but lessens in the monsoon.

Rhus tox 30:

Osteoarthritis characterised by stiffness, pain and a feeling of soreness in the affected joint (compare Arnica).Pain and stiffness are worse after rest (inactivity) but gradually diminish on walking around (unlike Bryonia). Joint-problems are worse in rainy weather but better by application of dry heat.

Notes:  

• Discontinue the medicine as soon as about fifty per cent improvement has occurred. Restart the medicine if symptoms worsen again or reappear later.
• If none of the above-listed medicines seems matching or if no improvement occurs even after taking ten doses of the selected medicine, consult a competent homoeopathic doctor.