II.  DISLOCATIONS, SPRAINS, STRAINS (MUSCLE PULLS) AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS.


      Where tendons, muscles and joints and organs of locomotion are concerned homœopathic medicines would bring about rapid relief, the injured person can resume work promptly.  We have to rule out a fracture wherever suspected through an X-ray.


      While injuries to tendons, muscles and joints may occur anywhere, these are most often met with in sports activities; and then from household activities.


      The leading remedy or rather the most often indicated in sprains, dislocations, etc. is Rhus toxicodendron which has great affinity to the fibrous tissue.  The pains of the affected part are worse when at rest, at commencement of movement, but better with continued motion; with continued exertion pain increases.  Stiffness of the limb, especially in mornings, and therefore he wants to get going.  Must constantly change his position, physical restlessness.  Apart from sprains, dislocations, strains from over-lifting, over-reaching, Rhus toxicodendron condition occur also after much wetting, working long in damp conditions after much sweating, drenching thoroughly in rain; nightly aggravations; warm application relieves.  Rhus toxicodendron works as complimentary to Arnica. Bryonia is characteristically much aggravated by movement and by warmth and this easily differentiates it from Rhus toxicodendron.  Bryonia is worse by touch but better from pressure.  Rhus toxicodendron is also complementary to Bryonia.


      Calcarea carbonica will complete the cure where Rhus toxicodendron has only partly cured.

      “Lifting; easily overstrained or sprained; headache, backache, stiff neck, sore throat – Calcarea ostrearum [89]


      “Easy dislocation” :  Calcarea fluorata [90].

      Sprains and bruises – Petroleum. [91]

      Ill effects of sprains – Petroleum. [92]


      Now, joint pains due to injuries.


      Arnica: If there is extravasation of blood.


      Ledum palustre: Sprains of ankle and foot, swelling-with blood in it,  “particularly if wounded parts are cold” [93]; cold to touch too; cold applications amel., warm agg.


      Calcarea flourata: “Lumbago from strains” [94]


      Strontium carbonicum:  “Old Sprains”, “Chronic sprains”.  Sprains with late effects; intermittent pains. [95]  According to E.A.FARRINGTON, Ruta complements Strontium carbonicum; swelling relapses unexpectedly. [96]


Secrets of a fitness expert …


Here’s the best way to heal and prevent injuries, get back in the game


THOMAS, Emlyn [97]

      Twenty years ago, the author, while skiing in Austria, injured his knee and damaged medial meniscus and a tear in the ligament.  Movements were painful.  Doctors recommended painkillers, pressure bandages and crutches for 6 weeks. While bandaging the nurse suggested Ruta graveolens, three tablets a day.  Next day pain stopped, pressure bandage stayed off, crutches not used.  Three days later started running gingerly and was playing rugby in 2 weeks.  Found a book on Homœopathy and began a journey that has not yet finished.


      In his experience, Ruta aids the recovery of any injury whether from trauma or overuse that involves connective tissues like tendons, cartilage and periosteum Acts on all joints.  Deep bruised sensation and stiffness or lameness of the joint worse from cold, lying, sitting and exertion and better from warmth are its indications.


1.     A rugby player with knee pain after every training session and game.  His physio gave a bleak  diagnosis suggesting surgery with uncertain outcome.  Ruta 30, 4 tablets b.d. for 2 days.  Arnica 30 before and after training and playing.  No more pain and he went on to play for the England team that won the world cup.


2.     William 40, active mountaineer, rock climber and skier.  To keep fit, plays badminton once a week.  While stretching for a stroke, partial tear of tendo achilles and was suggested restorative surgery with a long recovery period.  Arnica 200, 2 doses, followed by Ruta o.d. for  3 days and then Symphytum 30 o.d. for 7 days.  In 6 weeks walking without  support, and in next four weeks returned to full activity.


3.     Lydia, early 40s, equestrian had a fall and fracture of femur 3 months ago.  Despite treatment bone ends were not fusing.  She reported she was well otherwise.  Arnica 200, 2 doses

 

Symphytum 30 o.d. for 14 days.  Then again for 14 days after a week’s gap.  Six weeks later, happily reported that fracture was resolving and walking comfortably and riding horses again.


      Symphytum is useful for torn Achilles tendons, as well as for meniscus damage and ligament tears in the knee.  It can also help with vertebral fractures, degeneration of the spine and for trauma or blows to eyeball and socket.


      Bovista: “Tearing, dragging-drawing pain in a foot which had been sprained in childhood; as if the joint had been broken, with swelling of the foot, so that she could not put on the shoe” [98]


      Symphytum officinale: When “a bluish yellow part becomes pale”.  “Injuries to sinews tendons and the periosteum.  Acts on joints generally.”  “For torn Achilles Tendons, as well as for minimum damages and Ligament tears.” [99]


Remedies according to the part affected (organ affinity).


      Agnus castus: Popliteal space, ankle joint, chronic cases.  Shortening of tendons.  Generalised weakness of ligaments.


      Ammonium carbonicum: Joints of hand.  The injured part is hot and painful.


      Ammonium muriaticum:  Tendon of knee muscle: Injury, strains, consequent contraction.  Symptoms better by continued movement.


      Anacardium orientale: Achilles tendon and other tendon strains.  Pain of Achilles tendon from dislocation, sprain, from over-exertion with sensation of swelling and aggravation from walking.  Compare Millefolium and Natrum carbonicum.


Recent case: A man had visited Ahmedabad recently and was there on the  26th January 2001 when earthquake struck.  He ran out of the building and saved himself. In the process he suffered sprain of the ankle over the Achilles tendon.  He came here and he was given Anacardium  and his ankle sprain was promptly relieved.


      The shoulder joint of a man was dislocated as a result of a scuffle.  There was severe pain.  The usual trauma drugs did not help.  In this case unfortunately no first-aid was given and the dislocated arm remained so for a long time.  It was therefore assumed that the ligaments remained stretched for far too long time and the tension of the tendons may have suffered.  Therefore Anacardium 200 was give and within 24 hours he was well. [100]


      Complaints in the uterus and region of pelvis from straining and reaching up the arms; abortion from reaching at the windows and fixing a curtain, etc. – Aur.


      Sprains of joints, especially in old rheumatic patients. - Petroleum [101]

      Sprains, joints easily dislocated – Phosphorus. [102]


13 yrs. old girl with sprained ankle Telephonic consultation: prescription of Ruta 5CH thrice daily.  After two days no improvement, patient came to the clinic. After removing the tight bandage (which am  the pain) a swelling of the joint region without a specific point of pain was observed. Letting the leg hang down agg. The pains immediately. Repertorisation: 1. Injuries (p.1368); 2. Extremities, letting the leg hang down agg. (p.1009); 3. Pressure am (p.1392). Prescription: Puls.7CH for three days, morning and evening, to sleep when improvement sets in. After 2 ½ days amelioration. The girl jumps, dances and runs about without any difficulty. Comment: The two characteristic symptoms were considered (para 153). This case easily and briefly teaches that repertorisation is not always a difficulty job [103].


[ The case reported by Dr. B.py in the L’HOMOEOPATHIE FRANCAISE 69, 1981 and translated from the German by Dr. K.S. Srinivasan, Madras for PRIVATE COMMUNICATION ONLY – Comments: These cases show, as Dr. Py has commented, thatrepertorisation leads to the remedy even in acute conditions like sprains. Who amongst us have prescribed Puls. for sprain ? And yet it is there in the Repertory in top grade! Those who know the French school’s mode of prescription will understand the prescription of such potencies as 9, 15 etc . --- Dr. K. S. S.]


      Bellis perennis: Dislocation of joint of foot or hand.


      Cannabis sativa: Contraction of fingers and sprains; Luxation of the patella while ascending.

      Ferrum muriaticum: Mechanical injury of the shoulder joint with rheumatic lameness.


      Dislocation of joints of extremities including “spontaneous dislocations”: there are many remedies in the Repertory. [104]


      Hypericum: Dislocation in spinal region (rich in nerves), luxations, cuts.


      Ledum: Sprains of foot with swelling with blood beneath. “A discoloured spot remains in the injured spot after the swelling and pain passes away”. [105]


      Nux vomica: “Dislocations, Sprains” in abdomen (lifting); sensation as if the guts are loose.  Inguinal hernia from lifting heavy things.


      Petroleum: Sprain of the jaw joint.  Easy dislocations of the jaw, etc. [106]


      Strontium carbonicum: Oedema; especially about the ankles as concomitant.  Ankles sprained or puffed”. [107]


      Symphytum officinale: Meniscus tear.  “Follows Arnica well in stitching pains and if periosteum sensitivity remains.” [108]  “Acts on joints generally, Neuralgia of the knee”.  “Pricking pain and soreness of periosteum [109]


      More you will find in the Repertories and Materia Medicas.  General: agg. from lifting; headache from lifting; Abdomen pain from lifting; Back pain after lifting; etc. [110]


      With regard to the predisposing factors and weakness of ligaments after injuries KENT recommends Phosphorus [111]; also Natrum muriaticum, Carbo animalis, Agnus castus and few others as of value.


      RIBS, Dislocated, Broken, as if: Agar., Caps., Kali-bi., Naja, Petr., Psor., Stram. [112]

      Rheum: Lameness of wrists and knees after sprains and dislocation. [113]

      Phosphorus: Sprains; joints easily dislocated. [114]


      For ailments of ligaments and muscles, from straining, from lifting see KR Generalities, p.1371 (50 remedies) also SR.II p.348, 349 RG p.121, 488, 774, 816, 1150.  Headache from lifting KR p.141, Abdomen pain from lifting KR, p.558, back ache from lifting KR. p.896.


      Attention is drawn to Synthesis Repertory, Chapter: Extremities, Rubric ‘Dislocation’. There are many sub-rubrics ‘easy dislocation, spontaneous dislocation, etc. [115]  These may be used as  ‘constitutional’ indications too.  It would greatly help to read these carefully.  





[89] GS. Vol. III,  p.217.

[90] CLARKE, J.H.: DMM, Vol. I, p.335.

[91] GS. VIII, P.293.

[92] GS. VIII, P.453.

[93] BOERICKE, W.: op cit. p.398.

[94] CLARKE, J.H.: op cit. Vol. I, p.355.

[95] GS. op cit. Vol. X, p.92.

[96] FARRINGTON, E.A.:  A Clinical Materia Medica, Ringer & Co., Calcutta, 11th Edition, p.656.

[97] (HT. 29, 3/2009)

[98] ALLEN T.F.:  Symptom No.540, EN, Vol. II, p. 224.

[99] Thomas Emlyn (HT. 29, 3/2009)

[100] KULAY, F.M. (MFH. 7, 2/1996).

[101] GS. VIII, P.292.

[102] GS. VIII, P.393.

[103] ZEITSCHRIFT FUR KLASSISCHE HOMOEOPATHIE, Band 25 / 1981, Heft 4

[104] SCHROYENS, F.:  op cit. p.1189.

[105] ALLEN, J.H.: Diseases and Therapeutics of the Skin, Reprint, B.Jain Publishers (P) Ltd.,

    New Delhi. p.261.

[106] GS. VIII, P. 299, 292.

[107] GS. op cit.  X, p. 92.

[108] DEICHMANN, H., Homöotherapie der Verletzungen, ZKH. 1/1982, p.10.

[109] PHATAK, S.R.:op cit  p.563-564.

[110] KÜNZLI J.: Repertorium Generale.

[111] KENT, J.T.: Lectures on Materia Medica, Sett  Dey & Co., Calcutta.

[112] PHATAK, S.R.:  Repertory, p.294.

[113] GS. op. cit. IX, P.34.

[114] GS. op. cit., VIII, P.393.

[115]  SCHROYENS,F: op cit.  p.1189..