Homoeopathic injections ease knee osteoarthritis

11 May, 2015

By Staff Writer
Natural Health News

Natural Health News — A combination of two homoeopathic remedies has been shown to relive the pain of knee osteoarthritis

Traumeel and Zeel given by intra-articular (IA) injections – injected directly into the joint space of a painful, inflamed arthritic joint – were shown in a recent study to be safe and effective treatments for moderate to severe pain associated with knee osteoarthritis when compared to a placebo injection.

Traumeel (TR14) and Zeel (ZE14) are FDA approved homoeopathic treatments used together for the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative conditions of the musculoskeletal system, including osteoarthritis and/or rheumatic joint diseases, and for the relief of symptoms including pain, swelling and joint stiffness.

What you need to know

» Traumeel and Zeel are FDA approved homoeopathic treatments.

» These medicines have a long history of safe and effective use throughout the world in the treatment of joint and musculoskeletal pain.

» They are considered good alternatives to traditional NSAIDs.

» After 2 weeks of injections, 3 times per week, pain and knee function improves significantly in those receiving the homoeopathic combination.

Traumeel is a combination remedy that consists of12 botanical and 1 mineral substance. Zeel is also a combination remedy that includes plant, animal and mineral components.

Significant reductions in pain

In the multi-centre, placebo-controlled trial, 232 patients with moderate-to-severe chronic knee osteoarthritis were randomised to three weekly injections of either Tr14 and Ze14 or saline. The researchers led by Carlos J. Lozada, MD, professor of clinical medicine and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, were trying to assess what improvements, if any, there would be in knee pain stiffness and the function of the knee after walking.

By day 15, patients experienced significant reductions in pain and knee function and did not report any related serious adverse events from the treatments.

The results of the study says Dr. Lozada. “…represents an additional option in the management of osteoarthritis, especially for those patients who cannot tolerate non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are not candidates for corticosteroid treatment, or do not respond to other therapies.”

Positive research data

Traumeel and Zeel injection solutions have been available throughout the world for more than 60 years to help manage the pain of osteoarthritis. In the last 10 years, more than 1.5 million ampules of Traumeel and Zeel have been sold in the US.

Studies indicate that Traumeel injections are as effective for pain as conventional treatments including narcotic painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. It is considered a viable alternative to NSAIDs in the management of musculoskeletal injuries.

According to the manufacturers Traumeel inhibits the release of free radicals and other inflammatory substances and helps speed the healing process. Its anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated in animal trials.

Clinical studies show that Zeel interacts with the immune system to reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation in arthritic joints. A study of human whole blood cultures demonstrated that certain plant extracts contained in Zeel® Injection Solution (e.g. Rhus toxicodendron, Arnica montana) stimulates lymphocytes (white blood cells) to release the transforming growth factor β which helps repair joints.