A Case of Seronegative Arthritis Successfully Treated with Homeopathy
Seronegative arthritis refers to a group of inflammatory joint diseases that do not show rheumatoid factor (RF) or anti-CCP antibodies in the blood. Despite being "seronegative," conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and reactive arthritis can still lead to chronic joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Homeopathy offers a holistic approach by addressing the individual’s physical, emotional, and constitutional symptoms, aiming to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve quality of life without suppressing the immune system.
Case Study
A 64-year-old male patient, Mr. V.K. (Patient ID: 42823), consulted Life Force Homeopathy, Malleshwaram branch, on 20th November 2024 for the treatment of arthritis, which he had been suffering from for the past month. He complained of pain in both ankle and knee joints, along with morning stiffness that was aggravated by walking. There was also pain in the index finger of the left hand, especially while making a fist. Recently, pain had also started in the elbow and wrist joints for the past 10 days.
His pain typically lasted for 1 to 2 hours and was very sharp, particularly while walking. He had been on conventional medications for 20 days, with no significant relief. His RA factor, ANA, and anti-CCP tests were all negative.
During the initial consultation, a comprehensive case history was recorded, with attention to both physical symptoms and emotional/mental well-being.
Physical generals:
His appetite was reduced; he follows a vegetarian diet, has no specific cravings, and his urine and bowel habits are satisfactory.
His sleep was a bit disturbed due to stress factors and joint pain.
Family History and Background:
He worked as a scientist in a central government organization.
His family consists of his wife, a daughter, and a son. The daughter is married and lives with her mother, while the son is away due to his job.
The patient shared that he has been living alone for a long time now, which led to feelings of loneliness and homesickness.
There was no history of past illnesses or surgical interventions.
Mental State:
Very emotional and sentimental, lonely and fearful, and has a lot of stress due to work; homesickness is marked.
After studying his detailed case history, he was prescribed the homeopathic medicine Calcarea Carb by Dr. Shah.
Follow-up:
1st Follow-Up – 5th January 2025: Persistent pain, particularly in the elbow joints. No significant relief reported.
Prescription dosage was revised based on symptom presentation.
2nd Follow-Up – 4th March 2025:Approximately 50% improvement in overall symptoms. Elbow joint pain and stiffness were significantly reduced.
Ankle and knee pain also showed improvement. Mild swelling in the left index finger persisted.
Conventional medications were tapered under supervision.
3rd Follow-Up – 2nd May 2025: Marked improvement (80–90%) observed. Significant relief in all major and minor joints. No swelling in joints. She was able to walk for up to 1 hour without discomfort. Occasional mild stiffness noted.
4th Follow-Up – 6th July 2025 (Recent Follow-up)
Patient is completely symptom-free. No joint pain, stiffness, or swelling.
All conventional medications have been stopped for 1 month, and he feels completely better.
Conclusion
This case highlights the successful role of homeopathy in the management of seronegative arthritis. The individualized treatment not only addressed the patient’s physical symptoms but also helped resolve his underlying emotional stress and loneliness. As a result, the patient now leads a pain-free, medication-free life, with full mobility and significantly improved quality of life. This case demonstrates the potential of holistic, patient-centered homeopathic care in achieving long-term remission in chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Case study written by Dr. Shweta R., Associate Doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah, MD (Hom.)