Application of Locomotor System section of Boericke’s Repertory in various Musculoskeletal disorders

Dr Aparna Ghosh E.N

ABSTRACT:
The locomotor system is also known as the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs. Musculoskeletal disorders comprise more than 150 conditions that affect the locomotor system of individuals that ranges from those that arise suddenly and are short-lived, such as fractures, sprains and strains, to lifelong conditions associated with ongoing functioning limitations and disability. In this article, an attempt has been made to trace out the utility of Chapter “Locomotor System” from Boericke’s Repertory for various locomotor disorders

KEYWORDS: Boericke’s Repertory, Musculoskeletal Disorder.

INTRODUCTION:
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are typically characterized by pain (often persistent) and limitations in mobility, dexterity, and overall level of functioning, reducing people’s ability to work. Musculoskeletal conditions are also the highest contributor to the global need for rehabilitation It is divided into two broad systems:

• Muscular system
• Skeletal System

Musculoskeletal conditions include conditions that affect:

• joints, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis;
• bones, such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, and associated fragility fractures, traumatic fractures;
• muscles, such as sarcopenia;
• the spine, such as back and neck pain;
• multiple body areas or systems, such as regional and widespread pain disorders and inflammatory diseases such as connective tissue diseases and vasculitis that have musculoskeletal manifestations, for example, systemic lupus erythematosus.

POCKET MANUAL OF HOMOEOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA AND REPERTORY (Boericke’s Repertory):

Author: O.E. Boericke

A General Clinical Repertory which was published, attached along with the third edition of Materia Medica by William Boericke in 1906. This repertory is a trustworthy guide in the selection of homoeopathic simillimum as it has been completely remodelled and brought up to date by including clinical rubrics, technical terms and frequently verified clinical remedies.

LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM:

This is a separate chapter in Boericke’s Repertory which includes Rubrics related to

• Different parts of locomotor system
• Clinical conditions

Under each rubric we can find

• Cause
• Type
• Location
• Character of pain
• Concomittants
• Modalities

Locations includes:

• Axillae
• Back
• Body
• Coccyx
• Extremities in General
• Upper Extremities
  • Arms
  • Elbows
  • Forearm
  • Hand
  • Palms
  • Fingers
  • Shoulder – Scapulae
  • Wrist
• Lower Extremities
  • Buttocks
  • Loins-Lumbago
  • Thighs-legs
  • Feet
  • Heels
  • Soles
  • Toes
  • Ankle
  • Hips
  • Knee
  • Popliteal space
• Neck
• Nape of neck
• Joints

CLINICAL CONDITION RUBRICS:

• Nodosities
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Articular, chronic
• Arthritis Deformans
• Synovitis
• Reflexes
• Rheumatic fever
• Gait

1)Nodosities:

It means swelling or protuberance

• Nodosities, tophi
• Pains in general
• Types of pain – Bruised, cutting, drawing, stitching etc.
• Character of Nodosities:
  • swelling
  • Swelling, dark red
  • Swelling, pale white
  • Swelling, shining

2)Rheumatoid Arthritis:

It is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease characterized by pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in joints.

• Rheumatism: Type-Articular, acute, RHEUMATIC FEVER
• Pain -Ascending, Descending, erratic, wandering pains etc.
• Parts affected:
  • Fibrous tissues
  • Joints, large
  • Joints, small
  • Mono, articular
  • Poly, articular

• Concomitants:
  • Alternates with diarrhoea
  • Restlessness
• Aggravations:
  • At night
  • Every other day
  • From motion
  • From touch etc.
• Ameliorations:
  • From motion, walking
  • From pressure
  • From rest
  • From warmth
  • In open air etc.

3)Articular, Chronic:

Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue.

• Remedies in general given under this rubric

4)Arthritis Deformans:

A chronic arthritis marked by deformation of affected joints.

General group of medicines followed by sub rubrics such as

• Chronic, secondary to uterine disorder
• Gonorrheal
• Intercostal
• Muscular (myalgia)
• Paralytic
• Precostal
• Subacute
• Syphilitic

5)Synovitis:

Synovitis is the inflammation of the synovial membrane. This membrane lines joints that possess cavities known as synovial joints.

• Joints – Inflammation-SYNOVITIS – Acute

6)Reflexes:

A reflex is an involuntary and instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus.

Under Reflexes

• Diminished, lost
• Reflexes, increased
• Stiffness of knees
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Ulceration of cartilage
• Weakness

7)Gait:

Gait is a person’s pattern of walking. Walking involves balance and coordination of muscles so that the body is propelled forward in a rhythm known as Stride.

Under Gait

• Agility
• Ataxic
• Sluggish, slow
• Staggering, Unsteady, difficult walking
• Staggering, unsteady when unobserved
• Walking, child slow to learn
• When walking, must stoop
• When walking, limps involuntarily
• When walking, trembles all over etc.

DISCUSSION:
Musculoskeletal disorders are very common now a days and they affects daily routine activities as well as quality of life. This chapter contains abundant rubrics related to musculoskeletal system.

CONCLUSION:
In Chapter Locomotor System author has well explained about the symptoms, locations, and clinical conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system and can easily arrive at the Homoeopathic similimum. This chapter will be very useful in our clinical practice.

REFERENCES:

• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/musculoskeletal-conditions
• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/locomotor-system
• Boericke William. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia and Repertory,9 e, New Delhi, Jain Publishers, 2012; p861-882
• Salim S; Mohan GD; D Genesis. Repertory Expert A New Experience on Understanding Repertories, Published by Dr SALIM’S Center for Homoeopathic Healing 1/e.2020.

Dr Aparna Ghosh E.N
MD PART 2
Department of Case taking and Repertory
Under the guidance of Dr Munir Ahmed R
Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru.