Osteoarthritis is one of the types of arthritis that is caused due to degeneration and eventually loss of the cartilage of joints. Cartilage is a tissue that covers the inside of the joints and acts as a cushion between the two bones forming a joint. When the cartilage starts undergoing degeneration, the bone becomes inflamed as its protective covering is lost. This causes pain during weight bearing activities such as standing, walking, etc.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone.
*Osteoarthritis has often been referred to as a "wear and tear" disease. But besides the breakdown of cartilage, osteoarthritis affects the entire joint. It causes changes in the bone and deterioration of the connective tissues that hold the joint together and attach muscle to bone. It also causes inflammation of the joint lining.
*Osteoarthritis occurs commonly as a person ages and it is frequently seen in persons above the age of 55 years though it can also occur earlier than this. Before the age of 45 years, it is more common in males.
Genetic predisposition also is one common cause for osteoarthritis. This condition usually affects the weight bearing joints such as the knees and hips; it can also affect other joints such as those of the hands, feet and the spine.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:
Older age. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
Sex. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
Obesity. Carrying extra body weight contributes to osteoarthritis in several ways, and the more you weigh, the greater your risk. Increased weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees. Also, fat tissue produces proteins that can cause harmful inflammation in and around your joints
Joint injuries. Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Even injuries that occurred many years ago and seemingly healed can increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
Repeated stress on the joint. If your job or a sport you play places repetitive stress on a joint, that joint might eventually develop osteoarthritis.
Genetics. Some people inherit a tendency to develop osteoarthritis.
Bone deformities. Some people are born with malformed joints or defective cartilage
Certain metabolic diseases. These include diabetes and a condition in which your body has too much iron (hemochromatosis).
Primary osteoarthritis - When the osteoarthritis is due to ageing process it is known as primary osteoarthritis.
Secondary osteoarthritis when there are other conditions in the background that have triggered this disorder, it is known as Secondary osteoarthritis. Secondary osteoarthritis can be caused by any of the following:
- Trauma
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- Joint surgery
- Obesity
- Congenital anomalies of the joint
- Gout
- Diabetes
- Hormonal disorders (especially Growth hormone disorders)
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:
The common symptoms of Osteoarthritis:
- Pain and stiffness of the affected joint
- Swelling and warmth of the joint
- Creaking of the joint
- Pain is usually worse after repetitive use of the joint
- Stiffness is usually worse after a long period of inactivity
- Pain may occur at rest too (in severe cases)
- Limited mobility of joints
- Bony enlargement of small joints of fingers (called Heberden's nodules)
- Spine osteoarthritis can cause: Neck pain and stiffness backache Tingling numbness of extremities
Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis
X-rays. Cartilage doesn't show up on X-ray images, but cartilage loss is revealed by a narrowing of the space between the bones in your joint. An X-ray can also show bone spurs around a joint.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including cartilage. An MRI isn't commonly needed to diagnose osteoarthritis but can help provide more information in complex cases.
Joint fluid analysis. a needle is use to draw fluid from an affected joint. The fluid is then tested for inflammation and to determine whether your pain is caused by gout or an infection rather than osteoarthritis.
Management of osteoarthritis
Physical therapy A physical therapist can show you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase your flexibility and reduce pain.
Lose weight weight increase the stress over weight bearing joint.
It helps to relieve and reduce the pain.
Yoga/Movement therapies Helps to relieve the symptoms.
Heat/Cold which relax and ease pain.
Role of homoeopathy in Osteoarthritis
Homeopathy offers complete relief from all the symptoms of Osteoarthritis.
The medication can help in controlling pain as well as improving the mobility of the joints.
Most patients notice a reduction in the pain and stiffness after commencing treatment and improved mobility of the joints.
An overall general improvement in the health is also noted.
OA is a degenerative condition; it may not be possible to reverse the changes that have already occurred at the microscopic level on the joints but it is possible to slow down the further progress of the condition. In advanced cases, palliation is all that can be offered to the patients.
Homeopathic medicine For Osteoarthritis
Homeopathy 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 homeopathy 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 homeopathic doctor in person.
Bryonia joint pain improved by staying immobile and applying pressure.
Rhustox relieves muscular and articular pains at the beginning of motion, and then improved by slow motion.
Arnica Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruised soreness . Pain is worse from touch, and may occur in joints that were injured in the past.
Calcarea phosphorica
Rheumatism of the joints. Cold, change of weather, motion, getting wet, generally aggravates symptoms. Relieved by rest, warmth and by lying down
Calcarea carb Osteoarthritis of knee joint especially in fat and obese persons. < when getting up from a sitting position, by walking & Cold. Cold, clammy knees is another feature of Calcarea carb. There is cramps in calves when stretching out the legs at night. They have a special craving for eggs and undigestable things.
Ruta Arthritis may have developed after overuse, from repeated wear and tear.
Apocynum andro pain are wandering in nature with much stiffness and drawing. Pains, stiffness of joints with swellings.
X-Ray pain with trembling of limbs. Sensation of electric current in the limbs.
Acid benz Arthritis of joints, cracking sound on walking. Pains-Tearing, stitching type. Joints Swollen hugely with redness, < at night, motion. Urine-highly offensive, dark brown colour. Blood examination- increased of Uric acid
Kali. iod Rheumatism of Knee with effusion in joint- so huge swelling of Knee found.
Pain–< night, while bending the knee & lying on affected side. >by motion & open air.
Calc flour Chronic inflamation of joints.< rest, change of weather. >by heat.
Symphytum acts on joints generally .Osteoarthritic ailments after injury.
Hekla lava Bone necrosis.
Osteoarthritis nosode It is made from synovial liquid of arthritis – joint. A proving of the Osteo arthritis Nosode of the hip was read in the 18 th All India Homeopathic Conference at Madras on 10th October 1970 .The two preparations of the Osteo arthritis Nosode are done from the synovial liquid of joints. The Osteo arthritis Nosode that originated from Dr. Foubister comes from the knee of a patient suffering from an Osteo arthritis affection and the other stock from the hip of a similar case. OA of Knee, < from first motion , night. right side, > prolonged movement
Dulcamara complaints worse at night, cold, damp rainy weather. Better from moving and external warmth.
Dietary supplements
Calcium
Vitamin D assists the body in the absorption of calcium and has been used for the treatment and prevention
Zinc
Selenium
Glucosamine - relieve pain or slow the breakdown of cartilage, which is a significant part of osteoarthritis.
Omega3 fatty acid
Dr. Rajneesh's Homoeopathy: Facilities -True Homoeopathy consultation, Laboratory, Yoga, Physiotherapy, Needle therapy (accupuncture), skin laser treatment.
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