-Dr.Manoj Kuriakose
B.H.M.S

What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause and are referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.

What causes osteoarthritis?
Primary osteoarthritis is mostly related to aging. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints. Loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs) to form around the joints. Osteoarthritis occasionally can be found in multiple members of the same family, implying an heredity (genetic) basis for this condition.

 Secondary osteoarthritis is caused by another disease or condition. Conditions that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis include obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures, abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities), gout, diabetes,psoriasis and other hormone disorders.

What are symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints. Unlike many other forms of arthritis that are systemic illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus, osteoarthritis does not affect other organs of the body. The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use. Joint pain is usually worse later in the day. There can be swelling, warmth, and creaking of the affected joints. Pain and stiffness of the joints can also occur after long periods of inactivity, for example, sitting in a theater. In severe osteoarthritis, complete loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between bones, causing pain at rest or pain with limited motion.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis vary greatly from patient to patient. Some patients can be debilitated by their symptoms. On the other hand, others may have remarkably few symptoms in spite of dramatic degeneration of the joints apparent on x-rays. Symptoms also can be intermittent. It is not unusual for patients with osteoarthritis of the hands and knees to have years of pain-free intervals between symptoms.

Self Help for Arthritic patients
Obesity is the number one enemy of arthritis so keep your weight down.

Do not squat on the ground.

Do not use Indian toilet

Avoid climbing too many staircases too many times a day

Do your regular exercises

Maintain a healthy diet

Homeopathic approach to Arthritis
Arthritis is an age related problem and its difficult to reverse whatever degeneration happened .homeopathic treatment aims at restricting and stopping further damage to the joint and relieving the pain and stiffness.

With homeopathic medication over a period of time there will surely be reduction in swelling, pain and stiffness and the motility of the affected joint will improve.

Most commonly used medication for arthritis is

 Rhus tox-where there is pain in the affected joint just as the patient begins to move and pain gets better on continuous movement.

 Bryonia-Pain in the affected joint whenever the joint is moved even slightest movement of the joint causes pain and the patient feels better by resting the affected joint.

 Apis mel-when there is stinging pain and swelling in the affected joint

 Causticum- when there is stiffness in the affected joint.

 Pulsatilla-when the pain keeps shifting from one joint to another.

 Belladona-when there is inflammation and redness in the affected joint.