What Is Osteoarthritis Symptoms & Treatment

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that breaks down cartilage, causing restriction of movement and sometimes pain. It has been estimated that in some parts of the developed world, up to 90 percent of people over 40 have osteoarthritis in one or more joints. Severe osteoarthritis affects three times as many women as men.

Symptoms
• Stiffness and pain in the affected joints.
• Possible swelling of the joints, most commonly weight-bearing joints such as those in the hips, knees, and spine.
• Weakness and loss of bulk in the muscles surrounding the affected joints if they are not used regularly.
• Possible deformation of affected joints.

Causes
The degeneration of cartilage covering the ends of bones occurs with age or as a result of injury or overuse. The bone ends touch, causing them to thicken and thus restrict joint movement. This results in inflammation. There may also be outgrowths on a bone called osteophytes, which increase the pain and stiffness, and may press on blood vessels and nerves. The early onset of osteoarthritis may be the result of a congenital joint deformity.

Conventional care
Diagnosis is usually possible following examination, but can be confirmed by X-ray. Conventional treatment is largely symptomatic, using painkillers and noncustodial antiinflammatory drugs. Steroids are sometimes injected into the joint. If a joint is badly worn, it may need surgical replacement with an artificial joint. Hip-replacement operations, for example, have a high success rate, but need to be repeated after 20 to 30 years. If replacement is not an option, the joint may be fused to prevent pain.

Homeopathic medicine
Homeopathic treatment of osteoarthritis is mostly localized, depending on the joint affected, the nature of the pain, and other symptoms. Constitutional treatment may be required if there is a genetic tendency. Emotional or environmental factors will be less significant than in other serious ailments, since osteoarthritis is a mechanical failure, although stress makes any symptoms less bearable. The choice of constitutional remedy will depend upon an individual’s symptoms, but remedies commonly used include Apis, which is prescribed for inflammation of synovial membranes and overproduction of synovial fluid; and Silica, which is given for the destruction of bone and enlarged bursae (fluid-filled pads that cushion pressure points near a joint). Calc. carb. is indicated for osteoarthritis associated with growths on the bone; and Causticum is prescribed for inflammation of the joints leading to deformity. Other constitutional remedies used include Kali. carb., Lycopodium, Merc. sol., Nat. mur., Pulsatilla, Sepia, and Sulphur. Remedies given for acute symptoms include Aconite, for shooting pains in a joint accompanied by numbness and tingling; and Belladonna, for joints that become red, swollen, and shiny quickly, and are unbearably painful if jarred. Bryonia is prescribed for joints that are red, swollen, and hot, with the least movement causing agonizing pain; and Ledum is given for joints that feel cold, are swollen, make cracking noises on moving, and are better for cold compresses.

Lifestyle
A diet that is high in alkaline-forming foods and low in acid-forming ones is beneficial. This means more fish and vegetarian protein and less caffeine, sugar, citrus fruits, wheat, and dairy products. Losing excess weight will relieve pressure on the joints. Smoking is inadvisable. Exercise such as cycling or walking is beneficial; well-cushioned shoes should be worn. Sleeping on a firm bed and catnaps during the day are also helpful. Yoga may relieve stress, and warm compresses may help to alleviate pain. Dependency on tranquilizers, painkillers, or sleeping pills should be avoided.

C A U T I O N
• If the pain suddenly becomes more severe, or additional joints become affected, consult a doctor within a week.