Question : Which types of complaints from patients , do you face mostly , regarding Bone & Joint diseases ? Which age group patients , mostly consult with you for those problems ?
Answer : The majority of patients with bone & joint diseases , come for consultation are elderly and above 40 years of age . In modern day’s superfast life style , it is seen that , after crossing the age of 40 years , majority of the population , suffering from different types of bone and joint problems .
Question : Can you tell us please , what are those pathological conditions ?
Answer : There may be degenerative changes of bones and cartilages or metabolic disorders or may be auto-immune responses .
Question : It will be great , if you explain those conditions briefly .
Answer : There are many disease conditions , where the bones , cartilages , joints are affected severely .
In DEGENERATIVE diseases , the decay of cartilages around the joint occurs . This situation is known as OSTEO ARTHRITIS . Mainly the weight bearing joints are affected . The pain of leg may be due to the degeneration of knee ( Osteo Arthritis of knee ) , ankle , hip joint etc. But in some patients , the decay take place of the spine , which is known as SPONDYLOSIS .
Some patients may have a growth or bony projection of heel , which is known as HEEL SPUR / CALCANEAL SPUR . It is also a painful condition and the patient complains of pain while stepping .
In a metabolic disorder , named as GOUT , the uric acid level of blood is increased and urate crystals deposit in joints , causes pain .
In female patients , after menopausal age , the bone density is reduced , known as OSTEOPOROSIS . This is due to the oestrogen reduction at that period . This condition is responsible for pain of joints and prone to easy fracture .
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS , an auto-immune disease is also responsible for those maladies .
Question : What are the tests , do you suggest ?
Answer : Initially to identify the disease , Straight X-Ray ( AP & LAT ) , Blood for Uric Acid and RA Factor are suggested commonly .
Question : What symptoms should be watched for ? When a Doctor should be consulted with ?
Answer : According to the nature of the disease , which joints are affected and how much the disease already progressed , the symptoms may vary . In this account I will briefly outline them .
In OSTEO ARTHRITIS , big joints like knee , hip , ankle , shoulder joints etc. are usually affected . Morning stiffness , crepitus sound on walking , aching when rising from bed and stepping on floor with reduction of pain on continued movement are seen . This disease is common in elderly persons and to them , who are compelled to walk or stand for prolonged period daily due to professional causes . The weight bearing joints are primarily affected .
In CALCANEAL SPUR , there is formation of bony projection under the heel , causes pain . It restricts the movement . Intense pain felt on first stepping and diminishes with continued walking and during rest . But further flares up on beginning of the next movement .
In Osteo Arthritis of spine , commonly known as SPONDYLOSIS (Cervical Spondylosis , Lumbar Spondylosis etc. ) , there is decay of the cartilages and disc compression occurs . Pain felt while straining , any work for long period bending forward like writing , using computer , needle work etc. In advanced stages of Cervical Spondylosis , there may be vertigo , nausea , vomiting , dizziness also are reported .
The pain of back , which is known as LUMBAGO may be due to ANKYLOSING SPONDILITIS or from DISC PROLAPSE or DISC HERNIA . Inflammation of axial spine followed by calcification and ossification results in ANKYLOSING SPONDILITIS . If DISC PROLAPSE / DISC HERNIA occurs associated with nerve root compression , then the pain may radiate around back ( LUMBUGO ) , or may radiate to buttock and lower limbs , which is known as SCIATICA . In these conditions , patient is prohibited to weight lifting in any form .
In GOUT , urate crystals are deposited in joints , causing inflammation in that area . Primarily the joints of toe , finger , knee , elbow , ankle are affected . Morning stiffness , swelling around joints with temperature increase , migratory polyarthritis – these symptoms are common .
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is a special condition . It is an auto-immune process . Here body’s own defence system identifies healthy body tissues as its enemy and destroys them , so the bone and joints . Stiffness , swelling around joints , fever , deformities of finger and toes are seen .
If the patients are suffering from any of the above described conditions , they should not waste any time or try with self-medication by some Over The Counter ( O.T.C. ) drugs or pain killers , but should consult with an expert health professional .
Question : What are the treatments available in Homeopathy to cure them ?
Answer : The curability totally depends upon , how much the disease already progressed . In initial stages the majority of them can be cured or may be prevented from further progress .
It is advised not to ignore or do not panic about bone and joint diseases . In modern Homoeopathic practice , bone and joint diseases are very much preventable and curable . Just patience and faith on your physician is required .
First of all , keep in mind that , patient should follow strictly the diet and regimen , advised by physician , along with the medication for best result . e.g. calcium rich diet is advised to patients , suffering from bone decay , Osteo Arthritis , Spondylosis , Osteoporosis etc. Vit-D is essential for them . So it is better for them to massage the affected part with olive oil and getting a sun bath , as it helps in Vit-D synthesis . Gout patients are advised to restrict protein in their diet , as excess uric acid in the system from protein metabolism can worsen their disease condition .
Talking about the exercise part , all those , who are suffering from any bone and joint disease , are advised to control weight gain . Stretching exercises should be practised regularly to keep the joint mobility optimum . Weight training is very much beneficial for body weight reduction and to strengthen joints and muscles and tendons around the joints . Elderly persons , who can not perform those are advised to do Pranayamas , as it helps to reduce weight , boosts immunity and helps to reduce different types of bone and joint diseases .
For treatment of Osteo Arthritis , Osteoporosis etc. , where decay of bone and joint occurs , Homoeopathic medicine is administered to prevent it and to stop the decay and further progress of the disease . The pain management , restore the joint movement , swelling around joints or any gross deformity can be handled very efficiently by proper Homoeopathic treatment .
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a complicated case . Cure for life time is not possible as it is an autoimmune disease . Treatment is to be continued for life time . If proper treatment is followed throughout , Homoeopathy can provide better result and complications can be avoided .
In Gout , the causative factor is excess uric acid in blood and deposition of urate crystals around joints . In Homoeopathic system , Gout can be cured completely . It helps to eliminate the excess uric acid from body system and prevents the deposition of urate crystals .
In Calcaneal Spur / Heel Spur , special medicated foot wears are advised . Most of the medicated footwears are made for Diabetic foot . So before buying a footwear , be sure that , the footwear is for calcaneal/heel spur or not . The footwear for calcaneal/heel spur should be designed in such a way that , the arch of the foot must be maintained and in proper position . Beside this , Homoeopathic medicine is given to dissolve the bony projection . Surgery is not a good option as further recurrences are reported frequently . By Homoeopathic treatment it may be dissolved partially ( not completely , often ) , making it blunt and prevents pain while stepping .
The pain of neck ( due to Cervical Spondylosis ) , pain of back ( due to Lumbar Spondylosis ) can be cured by Homoeopathic treatment . The vertigo and dizziness in Cervical Spondylosis is from vertebrobasilar ischaemia due to cervical osteophytes formation . The Homoeopathic medicines act like miracle in vertigo , nausea , vomiting , dizziness etc. causing from Cervical Spondylosis . Sciatica , Lumbago etc. are from nerve root compression in Ankylosing Spondilitis , Disc Prolapse or Disc Hernia . The proper Homoeopathic treatment soothes the nerve compression and eases the case towards complete recovery . But these patients are advised to avoid lifting any heavy weight anymore as it may cause further injury and pain .
