What are some herbal pain relief solutions following knee surgery?
AspectOfThePack: Hello Doctor Kalia, thank you for sharing this. I have 2 questions.
I’m a professional kickboxer- I injured my knee 6 times in the past, and 4 weeks ago I had knee arthroscopic surgery, diagnosed with “Chondromalatio patellae sin”.
I’m afraid of injury returning because it will definitely end my career.
Do you recommend your non-weight bearing exercises (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hklBS5UQaw) for my diagnosis?
Can I ride a bike? Because I heard different opinions – Some people say it isn’t good for knee patella, other people say contrary?
Manu: I recommend you get a Physical Therapist to make sure your rehab is successful before you get back to kickboxing. Having said that, yes the non-weight bearing exercises will help you strengthen the local muscles above and below the joint. Avoid bending the knee over 45 degrees if you have too much pain with bending the knee while doing the exercises. You can also keep the knee straight while doing exercises if repetitive bending causes more pain.
Using a stationary bike can help with cardiovascular fitness without loading the joint. However you have to make sure the bike seat is raised to atleast 100 degrees of knee bending to make sure there isn’t much compressive load on the patello-femoral joint. Make sure there is no resistance on the bike.
Rehabilitation guidelines will also depend on whether there is any ligament, meniscus, articular cartilage or other soft tissue injury.
In Ayurveda, treatment guidelines would include massage with Mahanarayan oil or castor oil. Herbal formulas such as Punarnavadi Guggulu for joint inflammation, swelling and pain. Ashwagandha for muscle and joint healing and improving strength. Yogaraj Guggulu for healing the joint and reducing pain. Triphala for to detox the body and improve metabolism.
Download my free ebook “Top 5 Herbs For Fitness” for more info on Guggulu.
Research
1. Duwiejua M, Zeitlin IJ, Waterman PG, Chapman J, Mhango GJ, Provan GJ. Anti-inflammatory activity of resins from some species of the plant family Burseraceae. Planta Med . 1993;59:12-16.
2. Sharma JN. Comparison of the anti-inflammatory activity of Commiphora mukul (an indigenous drug) with those of phenylbutazone and ibuprofen in experimental arthritis induced by mycobacterial adjuvant. Arzneimittelforschung . 1977;27:1455-1457.
3. Singh BB, Mishra LC, Vinjamury SP, Aquilina N, Singh VJ, Shepard N. The effectiveness of Commiphora mukul for osteoarthritis of the knee: an outcomes study. Altern Ther Health Med . 2003;9:74-79.
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Hello My name is Manu Kalia