Abstract:
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis worldwide and progression of arthritis may lead to
secondary complications. Osteoarthritis is the degradation of joint tissues from the effects of injury, grinding sensation
and inflammation. There are three main systems of medicine including allopathic, homeopathic and herbal system for the
treatment of osteoarthritis. Plants are the basis for traditional medicine which is still widely practiced today. The
objective of the present study is to find out the complaints and secondary complications in patients of osteoarthritis on
allopathic, homeopathic and herbal system of medicine. This study was conducted in Karachi from January 2019 to
January 2020. Allopathic, Homeopathic and Herbal practitioners were consulted in the study (n=600, with= 200 in each
study group). Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 version. Finding of the study suggest that after the treatment with
allopathic medicines orthopaedician, family physician or rheumatologist / internal medicine specialist, there was no
significant difference in complaints (Chi- square =0.598, p=0.742). Moreover, there was no significant difference in
complications (Chi-square = 0.039, p=0.981). While treatment with homeopathic medicines either by orthologist or
family physician significant difference in complaints were observed (Chi- square =4.86, p=0.027). The patient visiting
family physicians have higher number of complications than orthologists. While treatment with herbal medicines either
by orthologists or family physician there was significant difference in complaints. (Chi-square =5.404, p=0.020).The
study reveals that there is no significant difference of complaints and complications in allopathic systems of medicine
when treating osteoarthritis, while it is significant for homeopathic and herbal medicine.
