Homoeopathy — Page 474
Ledum 474 ligamentous sprains responds better to Equisetum. Ledum may also be very beneficial if the chronic swelling is due to the involvement of the joints. Chronic ill effects of repeated ankle injuries are better treated with Ruta, Bellis and Equisetum. Some homoeopathic remedies have been found useful on clinical evidence, though they have not been described in literature. At one time, proving had been the standard for establishing the efficacy of homoeopathic substances, which obviously is the best method. However, in view of the scarcity of conscientious and impartial volunteers, clinical evidence has definitely played an important role in the advancement of homoeopathic knowledge. Sometimes, the effect of injury to the ankle does not remain localised. It may also result in the cramping of the legs, which becomes worse on walking or excessive movement, causing severe discomfort. The cramps may affect the knees and hip joints. No ordinary treatment seems to relieve them. Only, on specific treatment, will the discomfort start receding towards the original site, where it will become localised. The appropriate analogous therapy will prevent the spread of discomfort from here. The swelling of Ledum originates from the joints of the feet, like the onset of gout. Gout has its own specific nature and is easily diagnosed, i. e. relief of discomfort in the cold or by pouring cold water over the affected area, while the discomfort increases in the hot weather. This kind of pain in the foot also gets better with Ledum very quickly. All conditions related to Ledum will be relieved on cold applications. Phantom pains in which a diseased or injured part has been amputated and yet the patient feels the original part of the limb existing and continuing to hurt, is an extremely troubling condition. For example, a person’s leg has been surgically removed (amputated) for some incurable condition, but he feels as if the big toe (that does not exist any more) is hurting. Arnica and Ledum are very effective to relieve this condition. If the treating physician comes to know of the existing condition that required the amputation in the first place, then he should treat that very condition. The phantom pain is the pain along the nerve fibres that have been sensitized by the sickness. In case the analogous treatment of the sickness is administered, the