Homeopathy’s Role in Preventing Osteoarthritis Surgery

Mrs SD, a sixty-year-old female (Patient Identification Number: 48987), visited the Life Force Mulund clinic along with her husband on August 17, 2022, with a complaint of severe pain and stiffness in both knee joints. The pain was gradually increasing, and her daily routine activities were getting progressively affected. Recently, after walking for less than half an hour, there was intense pain with tenderness over the knee joints.
Apart from knee pain, she had mild varicosities over both legs, due to which she had mild pain if overexertion.
Personal and family setup:

The patient was a retired deputy manager who had been a complete homemaker for a year. Her family consisted of her husband and two sons. Her husband was a retired bank manager who was caring while her two sons were studying. The patient was reserved by nature but cordial towards all. She followed regular yoga exercises and follows a homemade healthy diet.

Family history of illness:
Her mother was a cancer survivor, whereas her father had coronary artery disease and sciatica. Her brother suffered from hypertension.

History of illness:
Past illnesses included dengue two years ago, and she had been operated on for Fibroadenoma ten years ago.

At Life Force:
On examination, there was mild tenderness over the left lateral side of the right knee. Her weight was slightly on the heavier side, while the rest of the vitals were well within normal limits.

She was advised for investigations which included blood reports and X-rays of both knees and a prescription was given for the same. She was further advised to change her diet habits and lifestyle, including exercises of various forms suited for her condition.

Medicines, On the basis of her case details, Dr. Shah initially prescribed homeopathic medicines, which included his researched medicines, for six weeks.

Meanwhile, an x-ray of knee joints had confirmed Osteoarthritis in both knee joints. Also, due to a deficiency of Iron and Vitamin D3, she was accordingly advised to have daily exposure to early sunlight and supplements.

Follow-ups:
At the first follow-up in September 2022, there were no significant changes in her complaints. Also, the patient mentioned she had recently recovered from dengue and was irregular with homeopathic medicines. Based on her follow-up, she was again prescribed by Dr. Shah for another six weeks, with advice to take the medicines and supplements on time.

After six weeks on the 3rd of October 2022, the patient mentioned an increase in the pain intensity and also mentioned other joint pain and body aches post-recovery from dengue. She was prescribed a further six weeks of medicines by Dr. Shah

On the 14th of November 2022, the patient mentioned relief in pain and stiffness, which now occurs only when prolonged standing. She was further prescribed by Dr. Shah for a duration of another six weeks and advised to be regular with medicines.

On the 27th of December 2022, on her follow-up, the patient mentioned a complete reduction of pain in her right knee. The left knee pain used to occur only when getting up from a sitting position. Based on her follow-up, she was further prescribed by Dr. Shah for the duration of another six weeks.

After about six weeks on the 8th of February 2023, there was an increase in the complaints, mainly due to frequent traveling and overexertion constantly for a month. The patient had given follow-up on-call as she was very busy due to guests at home and constant work. Based on her follow-up, she was prescribed six weeks of medicines.

After six weeks on the 26th of March 2023, the patient mentioned overall relief in complaints by about 30%.

On the 11th of May 2023, the patient stated mild swelling of both knees; however, pain in the left knee had reduced by 60 to 70%. She mentioned frequent traveling to religious places. Based on her follow-up, she was further prescribed by Dr. Shah.

After six weeks on June 28th, 2023, the patient happily mentioned further relief in pain and stiffness, and there was negligible ache when getting up from a sitting position for a few seconds only.

On the 29th of August 2023, the patient mentioned neither pain nor swelling of either knee. She also said she had traveled abroad for 15 days and had been walking there daily, sightseeing, with no major pain episodes. As per the case, the medicines were prescribed.

During the period of a further six to eight months of treatment, the patient never had any major episode of pain or swelling despite changes in weather, frequent traveling, or other factors. She mentioned she had a mild ache in her joints after prolonged walking during travel, but it subsided eventually with our medicines.

On the 26th of Oct 2024, the patient reported her complaints were more than 90% better with occasional negligible aches only when prolonged walking for more than 45 to 60 minutes. She was accordingly prescribed by Dr. Shah Sir for another six weeks.

During the last six to eight months of our treatment, the patient mentioned she has been traveling every month to faraway places, which included a lot of walking daily, but she never experienced any major episode of pain or swelling.

Conclusion:
In summary, this case shows how homeopathic treatment can effectively manage degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. The patient is pleased that surgery was avoided and is now able to travel comfortably. Homeopathic medicines address the root cause, slow disease progression, and manage complications without causing side effects.

-Written by Dr. Varsha Honkalse, Associate doctor to Dr.Rajesh Shah, MD (Hom)