Swollen sensitive joints can have various causes. Swollen joints refer to swollen joints that are the result of increased fluid accumulation in the tissues surrounding the joints. Sensitive joints mean that one feels pain when touching the joints. So swollen, tender joints refer to swollen joints that are painful to touch. It can affect any joint, and one or more joints can be affected at the same time. The pain can also shift quickly from one joint to another in a short period of time. Depending on the cause, the affected joints may feel red, stiff, warm, and have reduced range of motion. The reasons for swollen and tender joints are listed below:
1. Rheumatoid arthritis: It is an autoimmune disease that leads to joint inflammation that starts mainly in the small joints of the hands and causes pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. Autoimmune disease means conditions in which the immune cells damage healthy tissues due to an inappropriate response.
2. Gout: It is a type of joint inflammation (arthritis) caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. This type of arthritis most commonly affects the big toe, although other joints can also be affected.
3. Osteoarthritis: it is a form of arthritis that is caused by wear and tear of joints. It occurs due to deterioration of the cartilage present at the end of the bones that form a joint and prevents the bones from rubbing against each other in the joint during movement. The joints most affected are knees, hips and hands and joints of the spine.
4. Bursitis: It refers to inflammation of the bursa (i.e. a bag of synovial fluid around a joint) that helps in reducing friction between different structures of the joints during joint movement.
5. An injury or sprain: A joint injury can lead to swollen sensitive joints. Sprain can also be one of the causes. Sprain refers to the overstretching or tearing of ligaments (band of fibrous tissue that connects two bones of the joint). Most often, sprains occur in the ankles.
6. An infection in the joint (septic arthritis): Also known as infectious arthritis, it occurs due to the spread of the infection to the joint. It usually occurs due to a bacterial infection, but can also be the result of a viral or fungal infection.
7. Ankylosing spondylitis arthritis: This form of arthritis begins with inflammation in the sacroiliac joint (a joint formed where the hip bone connects to the sacrum, a triangular bone at the base of the spine).
8. Psoriatic Arthritis: It is a form of arthritis that can occur in some people who suffer from an autoimmune skin condition called psoriasis. With psoriasis, red inflamed patches appear on the skin covered with silvery-white scales.
9. Reactive arthritis: This type of arthritis is caused after an infection in another part of the body, such as the urinary tract, intestines or genitals.
Homeopathic treatment
There are excellent options in homeopathy to treat swollen sensitive joints. Homeopathic medicines aim to eliminate the cause behind swelling and tenderness of the joints. This brings long-term relief to the patient. Homeopathic medicines are recommended for both recent (acute) and long-term (chronic) cases of swollen, tender joints. In addition to swelling and tenderness, these medications also help control stiffness, heat, and redness of the joints. Homeopathic medicines are free from side effects as they are prepared from naturally occurring substances. There are numerous homeopathic medicines to treat cases of swollen, tender joints, but these are not specific. Not every case can be treated with the same medicine, but the most suitable medicine should be found after a detailed evaluation of the symptoms. When prescribing medications in each individual case, the symptoms characteristic in each case are taken into account, such as the aggravating and relieving factors. So, it is advisable that a person gets his/her case assessed by a homeopathic doctor for a proper prescription.
Homeopathic medicines for sensitive joints
1. Arnica – Highly regarded medicine
To treat swollen tender joints, Arnica is one of the best indicated medicines in homeopathy. This medicine is very suitable for the treatment of joint complaints that arise after an injury, sprain or arthritis (joint inflammation). People who need it have swelling in the joints with intense sensitivity and are afraid to touch the affected joint because of the pain that occurs even when touched. There is acute pain and it feels as if the joints are being hit with a blunt object. A characteristic feature that may be present when this medicine is needed is pain that starts at the joints in the lower body and then affects the joints in the upper body. The pain is made worse by movement of the affected joint, in addition to touch.
2. Rhus Tox – along with stiffness
This medicine is highly recommended if joint stiffness is present in addition to swelling and tenderness. When touching the affected joints, stabbing pain mainly occurs. The joints are red and warm to the touch. An important characteristic for its use is the exacerbation of pain at rest and relief with movement. Stiffness is relieved by warm application to the joints. This medicine is most useful for swollen tender joints due to arthritis and injury. When joint pain worsens in damp weather, Rhus Tox is also quite effective.
3. Causticum – When pain is relieved by warm applications
Causticum is another very beneficial medicine for swollen, tender joints. The main indicative feature for its use is relief of pain from warm applications, such as applying a heating pad, to the joints. Usually a tearing pain is felt in cases that require it. Causticum is also indicated for the treatment of joint complaints when deformities in the joints have occurred due to long-term inflammation.
4. Pulsatilla – With variable joint pain
Pulsatilla may be considered if the joints are swollen and the pain shifts quickly from one joint to another. The affected joints are clearly swollen and red. When touched, a characteristic pain occurs in the joints. The pain gets worse with movement. The pain increases at night and gets better by morning. Numbness is also felt in the affected joints.
5. Bryonia – When the pain gets better with rest
This medicine works well when the joints are painful to the touch and better from absolute rest. Even the slightest touch is unbearable. The pain worsens with the slightest movement. The affected joints are red, swollen and there is marked heat. The nature of the pain in the joints can be tearing or stitching.
6. China Officinalis – When pain worsens by touch and at night
This medicine is useful for cases where the pain is aggravated by touch and also at night. The affected joints are very sensitive and the slightest touch is painful. The joints also feel weak. Pressure is felt on the joints as if from a load. The pain is worse when you lie down or rest.
7. Ruta – From injury or sprain
This medicine, like Arnica, is effective in treating swollen, tender joints due to injury or sprain. The affected joints are painful and also cause restlessness. Affected joints also feel lame. Nodes may develop on the involved joints, along with the above symptoms.