Exostosis : Homeopathy Offers Treatment for Benign Growths

Exostosis refers to a new, bony growth on the surface of a bone. It is also known as osteoma and bony spur. It is a benign growth, meaning a non-cancerous growth. The main reasons behind it is irritation of the bone for a prolonged time period and injury to the bone. Homeopathic treatment for exostosis is recommended in cases of benign extra bony growths, but should be strictly followed by conventional treatment in cases of malignant or cancerous growth. 

Having a family history of exostosis also predisposes a person to it. It may also occur without any known cause. Some of the common locations where it can develop are ankle, ear canal, long bone of the legs, paranasal sinuses and jaw. The exostosis can be sessile or pedunculated. In sessile exostosis the bone growth is fixed and broad. In pedunculated type the new bony growth is connected to the existing bone by a narrow stem.

Types 

1. Surfer’s ear (exostosis of external auditory canal)

In this type extra bone growth occurs in the ear canal. It can be on one or both sides. This occurs from irritation of the bone from exposure to cold wind frequently or water. It can lead to hearing loss.

2. Haglund’s deformity (Heel exostosis)

It refers to new bony growth that occurs on the back of the heel bone. This deformity is also known by other names including retrocalcaneal exostosis and Mulholland deformity. Its main symptom is heel pain. Some of the factors that contribute to it are tight achilles tendon that connect the lower part of calf muscle in the back of the leg to the heel bone, high arch in the foot and genetics. Most commonly it occurs in middle aged women. This deformity may also develop from rubbing of the shoe against the heel bone for a long time. That is why it is also called a ‘pump bump’.

3. Buccal exostosis (mouth or jaw exostosis)

It is a rare type in which bony overgrowth occurs on the upper or lower jawbone. It usually results from injury to gums and underlying bones.  Mostly it develops in early adolescence and is mostly painless. 

4. Paranasal sinus osteoma

In this bone growth occurs on the paranasal sinus wall (paranasal sinuses refers to four pairs of air filled spaces inside the skull which surrounds the nose). 

It may have no symptoms, or in some cases it can be painful from pressure put on the nearby nerve. The sufferer may feel pressure or congestion in sinus due to obstruction in sinus drainage by the bony overgrowth. 

5. Osteochondroma 

It is very common in which new  bone growth occurs on the long bones of the leg, shoulder, pelvis. This type is seen during the growth time, when bone develops in childhood or teenage.

People experiencing it may have one leg or arm shorter than the other, their height may be below normal as compared to what is considered normal for their age, and they may have soreness of muscles that are located near the affected bone. During exercise they may experience pain.

6. Subungual exostosis

In this type bony growth occurs underneath the nail bed. It usually occurred in the big toe. This may arise from an infection or injury to nail bed.

7. Hereditary multiple exostosis (also called osteochondromatosis and diaphyseal aclasis)

It is one which is related to heredity and persons with family history of it are at risk. In this there occurs abnormal bone growth on more than one bone. It is a rare condition and the growths in it occurs on arms, fingers, legs or toes.  It is diagnosed in childhood mostly by the age of 5yrs old. In this the shape of bone appears abnormal. Next there may occur pain on movement, bowed legs or arms, stiffness, different length of limbs and less than normal height as per age.

Symptoms 

The symptoms depend on the location and size of bone overgrowth. In many cases no symptoms occur and the bony outgrowth is accidentally found when an X – ray is done for some other reason. But in some cases it may cause pain in the affected bone area. The intensity of pain varies from mild to moderate. Pain usually occurs when the bone growth puts pressure on the nearby nerves or blood vessels. Rest of the symptoms depend on the type of exostosis.

Complications 

In some cases of exostosis complications can occur. In the case of a surfer’s ear the complications that can arise are hearing loss and predisposition to infection. 

In case of Osteochondroma complications can occur from pressure on the blood vessels. This includes cramping in legs (claudication), inflammation of vein, blocked blood supply. Lastly, there is risk (around 1 – 5 %) of benign exostosis in hereditary multiple exostosis to turn cancerous. When it turns cancerous it is known by the name of osteosarcoma.

Homeopathic Treatment for Exostosis 

Homeopathy offers a very natural, effective safe treatment for exostosis cases. The homeopathic medicines help to gradually dissolve the bony overgrowth. Along with this they help to manage associated pain and soreness if present. The best suitable medicine in homeopathy for treating exostosis is decided for every individual case after complete detail analysis. The homeopathic medicines are selected considering the location of bony outgrowth and the attending symptoms. Use of homeopathic medicines is recommended in case of benign extra bony growths but in case the growth is cancerous it is strictly advised to take help from conventional mode of treatment as homeopathy has limitations in treating such cases.

1. Calcarea Fluor – Top Grade Medicine

It is a leading medicine in homeopathy for dissolving extra bony growths, bone spurs. It is well indicated for bony overgrowth on the feet, knees and fingers. Next it is indicated for such growths on head, back or ribs. Exostosis that occurs after a bone injury is also indicative of its use.

2. Hecla Lava – For Bony Outgrowth on Jaw, Head and Legs

It is the next important medicine having marked action on the bones. This medicine works well in cases of overgrowth of bone occurring especially on the jaw, head and legs. Cases of bone growth over upper jaw from injury respond well to this medicine. In this case the upper jaw may be painful to touch. In legs mostly growth on the tibia bone calls for using this medicine. Severe continuous pain may be felt in the leg in these cases. Apart from above it gives good results in case of exostosis on the fingers.   

3. Aurum Met – For Exostosis on Skull, Pelvis, Arms, Legs

This medicine is prominent to treat cases in which the bone overgrows mostly on skull bone. Boring type of pain attends it. It worsens from touch.
The bone may outgrow the bones of the pelvis. It may also occur on the arms and the legs where this medicine is required.

4. Phosphorus – When Bone Overgrowth Occurs on Skull, Spine, Lower Limbs

Phosphorus is a beneficial medicine to dissolve bony overgrowths that arise on the skull, spine and lower limb. In case of lower limb the bone growth is seen in femur bone present in thigh and tibia bone in leg. While in skull involvement the extra bone forms on frontal and occipital bones.

5. Merc Sol – For Skull Exostosis Attended with Soreness

It is a very useful medicine for exostosis on skull bone attended with

soreness to touch. Worsening of pain at night in bed may also be present. Sometimes a peculiar sensation of ulceration accompanies it.

6. Fluoric Acid – For Bone Growth in Face, Head

Use of this medicine is considered when the bony outgrowths occur in the head or bones of the face. Exostosis which is painful especially at night is also a characteristic symptom for using it. 

7. Mezereum – For Pain in Head from Bone Overgrowth in Skull 

This medicine is prepared from fresh bark (gathered just before the plant flowers) of the plant Daphne mezereum also known as Spurge Olive. It belongs to the family thymelaeaceae. In cases needing it pain in the head is present from extra bone growth on skull bone. The skull bones are elevated in many places.

8. Rhus Tox – For Exostosis on Sacrum and Bone of Arm

It is helpful for painful exostosis occurring on sacrum (a triangular bone at the base of the vertebral column). It is also a significant medicine for new bone growth occurring in the bones of the arm. Along with this a burning sensation may be felt in the arms.

9. Angustura-  For Exostosis on Lower Jaw

This medicine is prepared from the bark of plant Angustura Vera, also known as Bonplandia trifoliata. The family of this plant is rutaceae. It is highly valuable medicine for cases in which extra bone grows on the lower jaw.

10. Argentum Met – For Exostosis on Skull

This medicine is well indicated for treating cases of exostosis on skull bone.

11. Staphisagria – For Bone Outgrowth in Fingers and Toes

It is prepared from seeds of a plant Delphinium staphisagria having the common name Stavesacre. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is well indicated to help dissolve the extra bone growth occurring in bones of fingers and toes.