The Effects of Individualised and Complex Homeopathic Treatment in Osteoarthritis using a Novel Research design

INTERVENTION: Homeopathic simplex This preparation is individually prescribed after homeopathic interview. This could be any of the homeopathic medications (200C potency) manufactured by Brauer Natural Medicine. Sublingual administration on Day 1 of the 4‐week treatment period. 2. Homeopathic complex The composition of the complex is a mixture comprising Actaea spicata 3X (Baneberry), Causticum 12X (Hydrated Lime), Rhus toxicodendron 12X (Poison oak), Kalmia latifolia 5C (Mountain laurel), Bryonia 6C (Wild Hops), Colocynthis 6C (Bitter Cucumber), Dulcamara 6C (Deadly Nightshade), Ruta Graveolens 6C (Rue), Kali Carbonicum 6C (Potassium carbonate), Cimicifuga racemosa 9C (Black Cohosh). Administration is 2 pumps sublinguallly tds for the 4‐week treatment period. CONDITION: Osteoarthritis PRIMARY OUTCOME: The Western Ontario and McMasters Universities (WOMAC) OA index for hip and knee OA, a well validated instrument. Validation studies have shown that shifts of around 20% in any of the WOMAC subscales of pain, stiffness and physical function are clinically significant. SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Comprehensive Osteoarthritis Test 2. Short Form‐12 (SF‐12) 3. Paracetamol usage INCLUSION CRITERIA: Subjects with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee, with or without other joint involvement, as defined by:‐hip/knee pain while standing, walking and/or in motion of at least 3 months duration, and‐evidence of one or more of the following features in an X‐ray picture: osteophytes, osteosclerosis, cysts, or joint space narrowing, and‐a total WOMAC score of 30 or more at study commencement.Subjects willing to discontinue their current OA treatment for the duration of the study, commencing at least 4 weeks prior to their first visit. This includes treatment with intra‐articular injections, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, non‐prescription therapies, chondroprotective agents, occlusive dressings, physiotherapy, or orthopaedic technical measures.Subjects who have given their written informed consent.Female subjects of childbearing age who agree to continue using contraceptive measures for the duration of the study.