There are many different types of knee injury, including ligament injuries (collateral or cruciate), cartilage injuries (commonly a meniscus tear), and damage to the tendons in your knee. Knee fractures can also occur, the most common being a kneecap or patella fracture.
Causes can be traumatic (eg from a blow or fall, for example in contact sports, or in an accident), or from overuse (eg from walking, running or dancing). Diagnosis is generally by examination, X-ray or scan, and sometimes a knee arthroscopy to check for ligament or tendon damage.
Homeopathy can be a very effective part of your treatment and recovery plan. It can help with pain management, reduces recovery time, and promotes healing in torn and damaged connective tissues. Homeopathic treatment is guided by how the injury occurred, and factors including the type of pain sensation, its exact location, and when the pain is worse. Bear in mind that homeopathy can also be very helpful in healing from knee surgery.
Below are eight of the most commonly indicated remedies in knee injuries. Self selection of remedies can be effective in straightforward cases, but where injuries are more serious or complex, or where there is a chronic tendency to injury, or recovery is slow, professional care is advisable.
Arnica is the remedy to take immediately after the injury. It will address the physical trauma, reducing swelling and bruising, and easing pain. Take one dose of Arnica 30c, and repeat hourly for three further doses in the first instance.
Bryonia is frequently used in the treatment of knee injuries. Its key indication is intense pain on the slightest movement, including attempting to change position in bed. Tight bandaging or firm pressure will tend to relieve the pain, as this immobilises the knee to some extent. The person will want to lie still, and the knee typically feels unstable and weak. Alongside Arnica, Bryonia is the main remedy to think of in painful knee injuries including fractures, where the symptom picture matches.
Ruta is used in weakness and instability of the knee which comes on from overuse. There may be stiffness and a bruised sensation, and the knee is better for warmth and massage. Ruta has a strong affinity for tendons and ligaments, and is used frequently in the treatment of tendinitis and ligament injuries.
Nitric acid is called for in knee injury where the pain is notably sharp, like a splinter. Typically the pain is felt in the kneecap, and makes walking difficult. The pain is worse for cold, and also worse if the affected knee is touched.
Calc fluor can be helpful for the long term effects of a knee injury, and in particular with long lasting pain in the medial ligament (perhaps associated with calcification). It should also be thought of where there is a repeated tendency to medial ligament sprains. Calc fluor is also one of Schuessler’s twelve tissue salts, and can be taken in this form as a tonic to improve tone in muscles and ligaments.
Symphytum can be taken routinely after knee fractures, and ligament and cartilage tears, to promote union of bone and connective tissues. It is especially useful in slow healing fractures, and also where there are stitching pains at the point of the fracture.
Rhus tox is helpful in injuries (especially overuse related), where the symptoms are stiffness and pain which are worse after rest and on beginning movement (eg rising from a seat), and which improve with continued movement. The pain may be especially noticeable at night, with difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep. The knee will feel worse for cold damp conditions, and better for warm bathing and warm wraps.
Strontium carb is a remedy known to have a special affinity for the ankles, but it is also indicated in knee sprains (pulled or stretched ligament), especially of the left side. It is particularly helpful where there is weakness and instability following repeated knee injuries.
If you would like personalised remedy advice to support your recovery from a knee injury, you can book an Acute and First Aid call with me here: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
Good summing
Thank you, Madhu.
great differential Karen – thanks !
A work colleague has severe patellofemoral chondromalacia which seems worse at night time. She has an operation booked with the NHS in several months time and I was wondering whether to suggest to her to take Nux Vom or Ars or something else… I wondered if you could kindly suggest a remedy that she could try to relieve the pain. She’s a very neat and tidy lady in her early 50’s.
Hi Lucy, this condition is also known as ‘runner’s knee’, and you could look at the remedies listed in my blog post on sports injuries. The choice of remedies for acute conditions is based not so much on the name of the condition, but on the individual symptoms the person is experiencing – especially in this case the factors that ease or aggravate the pain. Do have a look at the remedies listed and consider those that fit your colleagues symptom profile. Best wishes, Karen
hello Madhu- perhaps u were my tudor with SOH back in the day. i hope u are well and enjoying life.
PEACE
Dearing
You are a God send. Bless you.
Hi Linda, so glad you found the information useful 🙂 Best wishes, Karen
Hi, as a breakdancer of 28 years & instructor of 10yrs, I finally tore a meniscus in my Right knee from repeating same moves on r ankle.. could you recommend a proper healing game (what/when/how much) to assist getting my knee back in action to at least teach the kids again?
You’re a true angel! Thanks for all you do!
Hi Sean, as you will know, prognosis and recovery time will depend on how severe and complex the meniscus tear is. With a partial tear, in every case it is typically helpful to take Symphytum 12X/6c daily for 2-4 weeks, as this remedy supports repair of the tissues. There are other remedies that may be needed – you are welcome to get in touch if you would like an acute/focused appointment for more individualised advice. Wishing you good healing! Best wishes, Karen
Any homeopathic for cartilage damage repair, particularly in case it causes nerve pain?
Hi, thanks for your question. Some of the remedies listed have an affinity for cartilage (eg Ruta). If your situation does not fit exactly any of the remedies listed though, you would be best advised to consult a homeopath for more personalised support and a treatment plan. Wishing you a good recovery. Best wishes, Karen
Whoops. Edit to my last question.
Would you recommend rhus tox 30c as well for assistance with post op gall bladder removal) thank you.
Hi Kaz, thanks for your question. I’d be happy to suggest other remedies to look at. Those needed will depend on the symptoms your sister is experiencing – if you can add anything further about her symptoms I might be able to make some specific suggestions. Arnica can be given routinely post surgery, as it corresponds to the physical and emotional trauma typical for this situation. Be careful not to use topical Arnica cream or lotion on broken skin though. Among those to consider for aiding recovery from abdominal surgery (depending on the individual) are Bellis perennis, Staphysagria, Nux vomica, Opium, China. I hope your sister’s recovery continues well. Best wishes, Karen
I have a knee injury from 8 weeks ago now. I suspect MCL ligaments but the knee locks too and is still very swollen. Difficult to get comfortable at night. Can’t fully straighten the leg. Have tried rhus tox 30 for a while but still a lot of swelling, and very sharp left sided pain (of right knee) . When getting up at night it tends to give way at first but once I am walking I can walk but use a knee support. Do I continue rhus tox, or change to something like ruta?
Hi Johanna, thanks for your question. In a situation where an injury is not healing well or promptly, homeopathy will often help. However, the choice of remedy or remedies for your particular situation depends on the way your body is manifesting the problem. Ruta may be helpful, and does have a strong relationship to ligaments and tendons. However it may or may not be indicated depending on your symptom profile. I would say it is also notable that there is still swelling. Did you look at the remedies listed, and find that none of them fits? I suggest you read up a bit more on Bellis perennis, Ruta and Symphytum. Strontium carb, Lycopodium and a few others are sometimes indicated, depending on the symptom profile, the diagnostic features, and also your emotional state during recovery. If it feels too difficult to assess for yourself, many homeopaths offer acute or focused appointments to address injuries or post-op recovery. Best wishes, Karen
What do you think of ledum palustre? I’ve noticed in my mcl sprain that it does seem to help but I’m having difficulty with getting proper dosage. Ive done 30c as I understand that usually the grosser the injury the lower the potency but most seems to be at 200 to 1M for this remedy
Hi Reilly, Ledum is an effective remedy where it matches your symptom profile. If it is helping, you can take 30c symptomatically – stop dose on improvement, resume if symptoms return. Homeopathic pharmacies keep Ledum 30c if you need to source a supply. Best wishes, Karen
Thank you so much for your advice. I opted for Symphytum and the sharp left sided pain has eased a lot and I can almost walk normally. However, I now wake every night with severe knee pain, around and under my kneecap. My leg is most comfortable with a pillow under it. But when I get up during these spells of severe pain in the night (last night to find painkillers) my knee feels much better, to be painful again when I go back to bed. During the day there is some pain around my kneecap and going down, but not comparable to nighttime pain.
Would you be able to recommend a remedy for this at all?
Johanna
Hi Johanna, homeopathy may be able to help you with this, however as this is a new pain, you may be best to have some investigation first of all to find out what is going on. This might guide homeopathic and other support, depending on what is causing the pain. Best wishes, Karen
Hi Karen, would possibly like to schedule an appointment. Have you had any experience resolving a paramedical cyst?
Hi Catherine, I wonder if you are referring to a parameniscal cyst? These typically result from a meniscal tear in the knee. I have seen good results from homeopathy in a wide range of knee injuries and sequelae. If you want to discuss your options further, and see whether homeopathy might be helpful for you, I offer a free 30 minute discovery call: https://karenleadbeater.co.uk/work-with-me/
Best wishes, Karen
Thank you for this breakdown! What do you mean by “taken routinely” for Symphytum? How often is routinely, and how soon after the injury is routine? I am working with a torn CCL in my dog’s rear right leg. I have been giving her 3 rounds of 3 remedies, Arnica, Hypericum, and Ruta, all in 6c, each day for the first week, then I reduced it to 2x/day. But I am nearing the end of the 1st 2 weeks after the injury and know I need to switch things up. I am thinking she needs the Symphytum for repair of the ligament but not sure when to start it. I am also debating Rhus Tox because after rest, of course the leg will be stiff and it takes a minute for her to walk it off, but she does like to walk around, and even tries to make her nest, mark her territory after going potty, and she seems to prefer walking with momentum off the injured leg rather than walking slowly and having to rely on the injured leg. She also loves to lay in the warm sun and does not like the cold, which is how she generally is. This is why I think Rhus is a better fit rather than Bryonia. Finally, I want to add black pepper-infused organic turmeric powder to her high quality air dried raw food for the inflammation and healing. Which is another reason why I want to stop Arnica, as both remedies are said to have blood thinning effects. Please correct me if any of my understanding is wrong and advise. I greatly appreciate it!
Hi, ‘can be taken routinely’ means that it is a remedy that can be taken by all those recovering from a fractured knee, or ligament or cartilage injury, since it supports the healing of connective tissues. I don’t know of any reason why you would need to wait longer to start Symphytum. Rhus tox sounds as though it may be indicated, according to the symptoms you mention. Regarding your point about Arnica: Arnica in potency is indicated for bruising, swelling and bleeding, so once the initial stages of the injury have passed, it may not be needed, though as ever, you would need to be guided by the symptoms. The caution about Arnica having blood thinning effects refers to herbal Arnica, not homeopathic – homeopathic medicines are homeostatic, so as long as they are administered according to minimum dose principles, there is no risk of blood thinning. I hope this helps. Best wishes, Karen
I had a recent fall from a step onto concrete with the right knee taking the brunt of the fall. There’s a pretty large scrape on the knee with a good area that scraped pretty deep – it’s all healing with scabbing now (at the time of this writing it has been 4 days since the fall). I took Arnica as soon as I could when I got home and there has been no visible bruising at all.
My problem is the pressure and stabbing pain I feel upon standing which also affects the bending of the knee and walking on it. I can feel all around the scraped area and there doesn’t seem to be any major swelling. The area is warm, though. I have not taken any Bryonia yet (I always forget about that remedy for warm and pain after rest!) – have taken Ruta (which helped the left ankle I also twisted a bit during the fall), Calendula to help the scrape start healing, and Bellis P which didn’t seem to have any effect.
Would you recommend giving Bryonia a try?
Hi Stephanie, according to your doctors, what damage has been done, exactly? The type of trauma will often guide remedy choice in an injury situation (eg bone bruising, fracture, ligament injury, etc). Bryonia’s key indication is strong pain on even the slightest movement – if this is the case then Bryonia will help. Best wishes, Karen