Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joints, involving breakdown of the cartilage at the ends of bones.
Affected areas:
Osteoarthritis can damage any joint in your body, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, neck, lower back, knees and hips. Symptoms may include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes an effusion.
Hands – limitation of activity that requires dexterity (e.g. dressing, feeding) are affected.
Hip disease – first sign is usually pain or restriction of internal rotation followed by pain on flexion.
Knee – Tibiofemoral arthritis is usually bilateral and associated with early morning stiffness and pain on weight bearing particularly on stairs. Night pain is a sign of severe disease. In elderly patients, knee effusions and crepitus are common.
Pathology of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease of both articular cartilage and subchondral bone. The disease is characterized by progressive degradation of the components of extracellular matrix of the articular cartilage associated with secondary inflammation factors and increased bone turnover and repair.
Causes of Osteoarthritis:
When the osteoarthritis is due to ageing process it is known as primary 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:
Injury – can damage to bone, ligament and cartilage that ultimately leads to severe pain.
Infection – Any kind of infection to the joint may result osteoarthritis.
Obesity and advanced age – Both are very common cause of osteoarthritis.
Overuse – Overuse of knee joint can cause bursitis which ultimately leads to intense pain.
Sprain– Due to sudden unnatural movements causes pain as well as restriction of movement of the joint.
Malignancy – Myeloma, metastatic carcinoma.
Dislocation – Also causes severe arthritis.
Other causes – Include Sarcoidosis, Sickle cell disease, Lupus, Kawasaki disease, Crohn’s disease, bone tumors, bleeding disorders etc.
Complication:
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time. Joint pain and stiffness may become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Some people are no longer able to work. When joint pain is this severe, doctors may suggest joint replacement surgery.
Treatment for osteoarthritis:
Medications
Osteoarthritis symptoms can be relieved by a variety of medications, including:
Acetaminophen:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) can relieve pain, but it doesn’t reduce inflammation. It has been shown to be effective for people with osteoarthritis who have mild to moderate pain. Taking more than the recommended dosage of acetaminophen can cause liver damage.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs may reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others). NSAIDs can cause stomach upset, ringing in your ears, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems, and liver and kidney damage. Older people have the highest risk of complications.
Narcotics
These types of prescription medication typically contain ingredients similar to codeine and may provide relief from more severe osteoarthritis pain. These stronger medications carry a risk of dependence, though that risk is thought to be small in people who have severe pain. Side effects may include nausea, constipation and sleepiness.
Therapy
A combination approach to treatment often works best. Your doctor may suggest:
Physical therapy
A physical therapist can work with you to create an individualized exercise regimen that will strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase the range of motion in your joint and reduce your pain.
Occupational therapy
An occupational therapist can help you discover ways to do everyday tasks or do your job without putting extra stress on your already painful joint. For instance, a toothbrush with a large grip could make brushing your teeth easier if you have finger osteoarthritis. A bench in your shower could help relieve the pain of standing if you have knee osteoarthritis.
Braces or shoe inserts
Consider trying splints, braces, shoe inserts or other medical devices that can help reduce your pain. These devices can immobilize or support your joint to help you keep pressure off it.
Surgical and other procedures
If conservative treatments don’t help, you may want to consider procedures such as:
Cortisone shots
Injections of corticosteroid medications may relieve pain in your joint. During this procedure your doctor numbs the area around your joint, then places a needle into the space within your joint and injects medication. The number of cortisone shots you can receive each year is limited, because the medication can worsen joint damage over time.
Lubrication injections
Injections of hyaluronic acid derivatives (Hyalgan, Synvisc) may offer pain relief by providing some cushioning in your knee. These agents are similar to a component normally found in your joint fluid.
Realigning bones
During a surgical procedure called an osteotomy, the surgeon cuts across the bone either above or below the knee to realign the leg. Osteotomy can reduce knee pain by shifting your body weight away from the worn-out part of your knee.
Joint replacement
In joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty), your surgeon removes your damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal devices called prostheses. The hip and knee joints are the most commonly replaced joints. Surgical risks include infections and blood clots. Artificial joints can wear out or come loose and may need to eventually be replaced.
Homeopathic medicines for Osteoarthritis:
Bryonia Alba
Excellent remedy which is useful in treatment of osteoarthritis, pain with inflammation which is aggravated by movement and relieved by moderate pressure and rest. There is inflammation of joints which are hot and swollen.
RhusTox
Recurring attacks due to getting chilled. Rheumatism caused by damp weather and worse in damp climate; there is restlessness and the pains are worse on first motion, better by continued motion
Kali Carb
pains stitching, stabbing and burning character relieved temporarily by cold application and not by rest or motion. The patient shrieks on account of pain. Backache accompanied by great weakness
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.
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.
Kalmia latiflora
Intense arthritic pain that appears quite suddenly may indicate this medicine—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.
Apismellifica
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.
Calcarea fluorica
This medicine 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.
Calcarea carbonica
This remedy is often useful for arthritis in a person who is 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.
Sticta Pulmonaria
Rheumatism of right shoulder blade or joint, wrist joint, ankle joint and knee joint. It also reduces fluid in the joints.
