"OSTEO-ARTHRITIS" in Siddha Medicine -Doctor's Diary

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and 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.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects the large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees.Hands, feet & spine also affected.
Primary osteoarthritis is arthritis which have no known cause.
When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis of the knees is often associated with obesity or a history of repeated injury.
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.

Investigations:

X-rays of the affected joints,Arthroscope.

Modern Treatment approach:

There is no specific treatment to halt cartilage degeneration or to repair damaged cartilage in osteoarthritis.
The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function.
NSAID-s are used to reduce pain and inflammation in the joints.
Glucosamine and chondroitin,relieve symptoms of pain and stiffness.
Total hip and total knee replacement surgery are now done in the orthopaedic hospitals nowadays commonly. Thanks to Medicine Net.com.

IN MY VIEW IN SIDDHA SYSTEM:

In siddha system, Osteoarthritis is compared with "Azhal Keel Vatham".
Usually the patients who like to take Siddha medicine are with very advanced damage in their joints.
Many patients seek Siddha medicine,when the modern Orthopaedic experts suggest them for surgical correction after a long period of conservative management.
It's really difficult and irritable to deal with these patients.
The patients ask hundreds of cross questions like "Can you cure this?","Have you ever cured like these?","Will Siddha medicine cause negative side-effects?".
Though it is not a task of a doctor to convince the patient before treatment,Siddha experts do that because the basic of Siddha Medicine is to treat the patient physically and mentally.
The psychological stress of the patient is treated first with councelling and the physical treatment done later.
In my Clinic I have treated hundreds of severely damaged Osteoarthritis patients with great success with effective Siddha medicines.
Severe swelling and pain in the joints come to control in a short period of 40'days.
I can proudly say that "SIDDHA MEDICINE HEAL OSTEO-ARTHRITIS SUCCESSFULLY".
According to the condition the duration of treatment varies from 40 days to 3 months or more.
Strict dietary regimen is advised to the patient.
Cool items,tamarind,fried items & substances which digest hardly are strictly to be avoided in these cases.