Stiff Knees – Homeopathic Medicines for Pain Management

Stiff knees refers to a condition in which there is difficulty in moving the knee joint within normal range of motion resulting in its restricted movement. It is a very common issue that occurs mainly in elderly persons and people who are physically very active. Homeopathic medicines for stiff knees are recommended in cases where no serious cause is related to knee stiffness. 

It can arise as a result of a knee injury. This includes an injury to ligaments (elastic tissue that connects one bone to another bone) as from a sprain (wrenching or twisting the ligaments), its rupture, or tear can lead to stiff knees. Next injury is of meniscus (cartilage between bones of knee joint) that can cause tightness of the knees. 

Secondly, it can occur from stiff knee syndrome (arthrofibrosis). It results from an excess of scar tissue around the knee joint. It is common after knee surgery like knee replacement. Other type of surgeries that can lead to knee tightness include ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction, meniscus repair and knee tendon repair.

Third reason is arthritis (joint inflammation). The types of arthritis linked with it includes rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting joints resulting in inflammation, swelling, pain and warmth in the joints), osteoarthritis (arthritis that arise from wear and tear of the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones) and post traumatic arthritis. Next it can arise in case of gout (arthritis with pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the joints mostly joint at the base of the big toe arising from increased uric acid levels in blood).

It may also occur from bleeding within the joint space (hemarthrosis), fracture of  the knee bone, tendinitis or tendon rupture. Lastly it can arise in case of bursitis ( inflammation of the bursa means the fluid – filled sacs that cushion the bones, tendons and muscles near the joints) and abscess around the knee.  Some of the serious reasons behind it that requires emergency medical help include bone infection (osteomyelitis), septic arthritis (infectious arthritis) and bone tumours. Poor flexibility in leg and overuse of knee joint or surrounding tissues can also contribute to it

Symptoms 

It may be attended with some other symptoms depending on the cause behind it. These include pain in the knee (it can be dull, sharp, aching, burning, stabbing type of pain), swelling of knee, redness and warmth of knees. Muscle weakness around the knee, deformity of the knee joint may also be present. Some serious symptoms like high fever, breakage of bone, loss of sensation in the lower leg, severe uncontrollable pain and severe bleeding need urgent medical treatment.

Homeopathic Medicines for Stiff Knee 

Homeopathic medicines are very effective in managing stiffness of the knees. These medicines bring great relief in knee stiffness by targeting the root cause behind it like by reducing joint inflammation, healing the injured ligaments, and tendons. Along with relieving stiffness these medicines also help in bringing relief in attending symptoms like pain, swelling, tenderness, weakness in the knee joint.
Homeopathic medicines are suitable for treating stiff knees in persons of all age groups. In cases where the symptoms are severe or indicate any serious cause associated with knee stiffness like osteomyelitis, infectious arthritis, it is advisable to take immediate help from conventional mode of treatment.

1. Rhus Tox – Top Grade Medicine 

Rhus Tox is a leading medicine for managing cases of stiff knees. In cases needing it along with stiffness, swelling may be present in the knee. Pain is also there in the knee joint which may be burning, tearing or stitching in nature. The pain is worse at rest. It gets better from motion and also from warmth. The pain may extend down to the leg from the knee. The knee feels tensed as if it is short. Knees also feels heavy. It is well indicated for knee stiffness arising from sprain, injury and joint inflammation. 

2. Bryonia – For Knee Stiffness and Pain

This medicine is prepared from the root of plant Bryonia Alba. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. It is very beneficial for managing knee stiffness and pain. There is restricted movement of the knee joint where it is indicated. The pain in the knee is mostly stitching type for using it. It is worse from motion. It is better during rest. The knee on the inner side is tender to touch. Swelling and inflammation of the knee is also there and the knee looks swollen, red, shining.

3. Causticum – For Knee Stiffness while Walking

This medicine is prominently indicated for knee stiffness which is felt while walking. The stiffness is marked in the hollow of the knee. With this a drawing pain is present in the knee. The knee tendons feel as if they are shortened. The knees feel tensed. Cracking sound in the knees is also there while walking and descending stairs.

4. Ledum Pal – For Stiffness, Pain and Weakness of Knee Joint

It is a natural medicine prepared from plant Ledum Palustre commonly known as wild rosemary and marsh cistus. This plant belongs to family ericaceae. This medicine is useful for stiffness, pain and weakness of the knee joint. There is tearing, tensive pain in the knee joints that worsens with motion. There can also be stitching pain in the knee or pain as if it is beaten or sore. The knee is also swollen with pain which is better from cold applications. Cracking in knees is also present. There is weakness in the knee joint that makes a person sit down. Lastly there may be cramp – like tension in the knees.

5. Calcarea Carb – For Stiff Knees with Swelling, Pain

Calcarea Carb is a valuable medicine for persons who complain of stiff knees along with heat, swelling, pain. The pain they have may be stitching, tearing or stinging in nature. The knees are also sensitive to touch. Creaking sound in the knee may occur while walking. The swelling in the knee is worse at night and is attended with redness and burning sensation in the knee. In some cases needing it  there may be weakness and lameness of knee as if sprained.

6. Ruta – For Knee Stiffness Linked with Joint or Tendon Injury

This medicine is prepared from a plant named Ruta graveolens commonly known as Rue. The natural order of this plant is rutaceae. It works well in cases where knee stiffness is linked with joint injury or tendon injury. Persons who need it feel as the tendons of knees are contracted and shortened along with stiffness. They also feel heaviness and weakness in knees especially after walking. On bending knees cracking sound occurs from knees.

7. Colocynth – For Knee Stiffness that Prevents Bending

This medicine is prepared from pulp of fruit Citrullus colocynthis also known as cucumis colocynthis and bitter apple. This plant belongs to the family cucurbitaceae. Its use is considered when the knees are stiff with decreased flexibility of knee and difficulty in bending the knees. Along with this shooting or stitching, pains in the knee are felt. The pains are worse while walking or standing. Sensation of coldness in the knees is also present in addition to above symptoms.

8. Berberis Vulgaris – For Sore, Painful, Stiff Knees

This medicine is prepared from the bark of the root of the plant barberry that belongs to family Berberidaceae. It is very effective to manage soreness, pain and stiffness of the knees. In cases requiring it the knee is also very much swollen. Mostly stinging pain in the joint of the knee is felt. This usually occurs when walking. There also appears tension in the bend of the knee, as if tendons are too short. The knee also feels bruised. Lastly the knee feels lame and tired.

9. Pulsatilla – For Stiff Knees on Stretching Out

It is prepared from plant Pulsatilla Nigricans commonly known as wind flower and pasque flower. This plant belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is a well indicated medicine for stiffness of the knee when stretching it out. The stiffness is worse while walking. The hollow of knees feels tense. Next there is tearing, shooting or drawing pain in knees. Cracking in knees is also felt. The knee is also swollen, inflamed and sensitive to touch. There is difficulty in bending knees.

10. Lycopodium – For Knee Stiffness on Sitting Down

This medicine is prepared from plant Lycopodium Clavatum also known as club moss. It belongs to the family lycopodiaceae. This medicine is very useful when a person feels knee stiffness while sitting down. The stiffness is also felt during morning on rising especially in the hollow of the knee. Swelling in the knee is also present. There also occurs tearing pain in the knees. Heated sensation in the knee is also felt. 

10. Sulphur – For Tightness in Hollow of Knee

Sulphur is indicated for cases where tightness in the hollow of the knee is present. It is also indicated when stiffness in the knee is felt when rising from a seat. Stitching pain in the knee accompanies it. Sometimes burning is felt in the knees. The inner surface of the knee is painful to least touch. Knee is red and swollen that worsens at night in bed.