Arnica and the Management of Pain in Acute Musculoskeletal Extremity Injuries

Summary

In the Emergency Department, there is no standard of care for pain medication distribution for children with an acute musculoskeletal injury when there is no fracture present. Currently, ibuprofen is a favorable choice for the treatment, but studies have shown concern for delayed healing activity associated with NSAIDs like Ibuprofen. Homeopathic Arnica Montana is a well-established complimentary medicine and may provide a good alternative for managing acute pain from musculoskeletal injuries, especially in children, given the palatability and rarity of side effects. This study aims to compare usual care vs. usual care plus Arnica 1M\* (oral) or the placebo for management of pain in acute musculoskeletal extremity injuries without fracture by utilizing a double-blind clinical trial design. The primary outcome is to determine if subjects use less ibuprofen when given Arnica 1M.

Timeline

Start

2021-07-15

Primary completion

2023-06-30

Completion

2023-06-30

Publications

• Background Thompson EA, Bishop JL, Northstone K. The use of homeopathic products in childhood: data generated over 8.5 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). J Altern Complement Med. 2010 Jan;16(1):69-79. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0007.
• Background Oberbaum M, Schreiber R, Rosenthal C, Itzchaki M. Homeopathic treatment in emergency medicine: a case series. Homeopathy. 2003 Jan;92(1):44-7. doi: 10.1054/homp.2002.0071.
• Background Arnica. 2024 Oct 15. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed(R)) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501828/
• Background Mawardi H, Ghazalh S, Shehatah A, Abdelwahid A, Aljohani A, Felemban O, Almazrooa S, Elbadawi L, Shawky H. Systemic Use of Arnica Montana for the Reduction of Postsurgical Sequels following Extraction of Impacted Mandibular 3rd Molars: A Pilot Study. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Dec 12;2020:6725175. doi: 10.1155/2020/6725175. eCollection 2020.
• Background Iannitti T, Morales-Medina JC, Bellavite P, Rottigni V, Palmieri B. Effectiveness and Safety of Arnica montana in Post-Surgical Setting, Pain and Inflammation. Am J Ther. 2016 Jan-Feb;23(1):e184-97. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000036.
• Background Paris A, Gonnet N, Chaussard C, Belon P, Rocourt F, Saragaglia D, Cracowski JL. Effect of homeopathy on analgesic intake following knee ligament reconstruction: a phase III monocentre randomized placebo controlled study. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2008 Feb;65(2):180-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.03008.x.
• Background Karow JH, Abt HP, Frohling M, Ackermann H. Efficacy of Arnica montana D4 for healing of wounds after Hallux valgus surgery compared to diclofenac. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jan-Feb;14(1):17-25. doi: 10.1089/acm.2007.0560.
• Background Robertson A, Suryanarayanan R, Banerjee A. Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy analgesia: a randomised placebo control trial. Homeopathy. 2007 Jan;96(1):17-21. doi: 10.1016/j.homp.2006.10.005.
• Background Brinkhaus B, Wilkens JM, Ludtke R, Hunger J, Witt CM, Willich SN. Homeopathic arnica therapy in patients receiving knee surgery: results of three randomised double-blind trials. Complement Ther Med. 2006 Dec;14(4):237-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2006.04.004. Epub 2006 Oct 13.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.