Swelling in the joints in most cases tends to arise as a result of conditions like arthritis, injuries, and infections. Swelling of joints due to arthritis includes issues like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, infectious arthritis, septic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The injuries where joint swelling is seen include injury to muscles, ligaments, tendons of joints, fractures, sprains, and strains. Apart from the above, swollen joints also arise in case of bursitis and tendinitis. Homeopathic medicines for swelling in joints help reduce the pain and stiffness in joints and bring about remarkable recovery.
Homeopathic Medicines for Swelling in Joints
Homeopathy medicines can effectively treat swelling in joints by reducing the swelling and addressing the root cause of the problem. The top grade medicines to treat swollen joints are Rhus Tox, Apis Mellifica, Bryonia, Benzoic Acid and Actaea Spicata.
1. Rhus Tox – Top grade Medicine for Swelling with Pain and Stiffness
Rhus Tox is a top listed medicine for treating swollen joints in cases where there is marked stiffness. The affected joints are red and warm to touch, and there may be associated with swelling, pain, and stiffness present. The pain tends to worsen at rest where Rhus Tox is indicated. Motion tends to give relief in the pain of joints. In addition to the above, the joints feel weak, and there may be cracking in them upon stretching. Winter aggravation of the complaints is also noted. Rhus Tox is a prominent medicine to treat swollen joints in cases of arthritis, inflamed tendons/ligaments, injuries, and sprains.
2. Apis Mellifica – Important Remedy for Swollen Joints
Apis Mellifica is another effective medicine for treating swollen joints. The indications for using Apis are swelling in the shoulder, wrist, fingers, knees, ankles, and toes. The affected joints are inflamed, sensitive and sore to touch and there may be stinging pains present. Apis Mellifica is a prominent medicine for treating joint swelling in cases of arthritis, bursitis, and synovitis.
3. Bryonia – For Swelling with Pain Worsening from Motion
Bryonia is prepared from the root of the plant Bryonia Alba commonly named as White Bryony or Wild Hops. The natural order of this plant is Cucurbitaceae. Bryonia is well-indicated for treating swollen joints with pain that worsens from motion. Rest relieves the pain. The pains are mostly sharp, stitching or tearing in nature. The affected joints look red and shining and can be hot to touch because of pain and swelling. The joints are also tender and sensitive to touch. In cases needing Bryonia, warmth tends to relieve the pain. Bryonia is majorly indicated for swollen joints in conditions like arthritis or gout.
4. Benzoic Acid – For Swelling due to Gout
Benzoic Acid is a very significant medicine for treating swollen joints from gout. Benzoic Acid can be used as a remedy in cases of swelling in the wrist, elbow, knee, and great toe. The joints are also markedly red and painful. These symptoms tend to worsen during the night.
5. Actaea Spicata – For Swelling of Wrist Joint and Other Small Joints
Actaea Spicata is prepared from the root of a plant named Baneberry or Herb Christopher. The natural order of this plant is Ranunculaceae. Actaea Spicata is a highly effective medicine for treating swelling of the wrist joint. The wrist is red, swollen and intolerable to touch. The motion of the wrist is impossible. Actaea Spicata is also well-indicated for swelling of other small joints including the ankle, fingers, and toes. Swelling on the affected joints can appear from the slightest fatigue or even walking. There may be a pain in the joints which can be tearing or drawing in nature along with tingling. The pains tend to get worse from touch and motion in cases where Actaea Spicata is required.
6. Calcarea Carb – For Swelling in the Knee Joint
Calcarea Carb is useful to treat swelling of the knee joint. In cases requiring Calcarea Carb, the knee is warm and sensitive to touch along with swelling. This swelling tends to worsen during the night. In addition to the swelling, stinging, drawing or tearing pains tend to appear in the knee. The pains get worse from motion, and a cracking sound may be heard in the knee while walking. Weakness and lameness in the knees may also be present along with the above features.
7. Ledum Pal – For Swelling of the Ankle Joint
Ledum Pal is a magnificent medicine prepared from a plant called Wild Rosemary also known by the name of Marsh Cistus or Marsh Tea. The natural order of this plant is Ericaceae. Ledum Pal is a high-grade medicine to treat swelling of the ankle joint. Along with swelling, intolerable pain in the ankles is present. Stepping and warmth worsen the ankle pain, and the foot may feel heavy. Pressure is also felt in the ankle and lower part of the leg, and there may be itching present on the ankles. Ledum Pal is a foremost medicine to treat sprains of ankles and feet.
8. Arnica – For Swelling due to Injury
Arnica is prepared from the plant Arnica Montana commonly known as Leopard’s-Bane or Fallkraut. The natural order of this plant is Compositae. Arnica is a prime medicine for treating joint swelling that arises from injuries. Here, sore bruised pain in the joints is marked. In some cases, a drawing pain with crawling and pricking sensation in the joints is present. There is great fear to touch the affected joint due to intense pain.
9. Ruta – For Swelling and Pain due to Sprains and Inflamed Tendons, Ligaments
Ruta is prepared from the plant Ruta Graveolens commonly known by the name of Garden Rue or Bitterwort. The natural order of this plant is Rutaceae. Ruta is a prominent medicine to treat cases of joint swelling and pain from sprains and inflamed tendons and ligaments. The pain attending swelling of joints is mostly sore, aching, and bruised in nature. The joint also feels lame with swelling and pain in cases where Ruta is indicated.
Symptoms Accompanying Swelling in Joints
There is a possibility of swelling in a single joint, or in multiple joints. The main symptoms that accompany swollen joints include pain and stiffness in the joints. The affected joint may be red, tender and feel warm to touch. Mobility of the joint may be reduced, depending upon the intensity of swelling and pain in the joint.
My husband has septic arthritis in his knee from a knee replacement and two ‘repairs’ to fix the ongoing problem What hemeopathic remedy can I use for him please?
Left index finger infected from cat bite
Two rounds of antibiotics and joint is still swollen and painful when jolted
Any thoughts?
Good day, I have a septic arthritic knee since 4thNov.23,have been treated with several courses of antibiotics, twice the knee was operated, the pus was removed. Still the knee is red and swollen and painful. Any suggestions what I can do?
Left index finger infected from cat bite
Two rounds of antibiotics and joint is still swollen and painful when jolted
Any thoughts?
I get ankle swelling only when the temperature outside goes to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. There is rarely pain but on really high heat and high humidity days I can feel the tightness. There is no redness or cracked skin and swelling goes away overnight with rest. Then slowly swells throughout the day. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Dear Dr. Sharma, I have Arthritis in both of my index finger knuckle joints. I wasn’t diagnosed for having it but, with the symptoms i’m pretty sure its Arthritis. I know for a fact that I don’t have Rheumatoid Arthritis because it’s only in the two finger knuckle joints so, I’m guessing it’s probably Osteoarthritis. Just because of the physical laborus jobs I have had in my life and the wear and tear that was delt to the joints. What would be the best medication that is mentioned above for my specific Athritic joints? Any advice or recommendation that you could provide would be highly appreciated! Thank you so much!
My husband had bypass surgery Jan 30. He has swelling in his foot and leg where they harvested the veins. The only remedy I can find is arnica and there was an injury, but is that the best remedy?