I know you should apply arnica to an injury as soon as possible, but how long after can it be effective?
Reason: My mother broke two of her toes, her foot is somewhat bruised and swollen. I found out 1 week after the event.
I have on hand, Arnica gel 1x 7%.
Any suggestions? I would love to get my mothers constitutional but not sure if she would agree.
Thanks
Zmyst

Should still be useful where there's swelling. However Ledum, Hypericum or Symphytum may also be called for if symptoms agree.

[This message has been edited by Frank Hicks (edited 04 June 2000).]

Hej Zmyst !

Arnika can go a long way.
As I wrote today in the "whiplash"-thread: arnica can take 2-year constant pain after whiplash.
I too witnessed a cure after 1x200 arnika of a 7 year old severe pain: an older man had fallen 18 meters, broke his back at several places, worst in the hip an was at the time I met him bowed of pain.
after 2 weeks he was much better, after 6 weeks free of pain.
a 3. exampel is a women with old bone-fracture-pain, that recently broke a bone again.
Arnika given for this recent hurt (1x200)took the new and the old pain.

but as i wrote in the whiplash-thread, sometimes it does not work, there is antidotting and so on too.

regards.......

Frank,
please explain other choices.

On hand I have only ARnica 1x. Is that potent enough? Or not worth the bother?

Thanks
Zmyst

Personally I would give her Arnica 30 for a day at 3 x a day , if no imptovement and the toe is very balck go onto Ledum 30 for a couple of days. Then go onto Symphytum 6 3x a day for a couple of weeks. Symphytum heals fractures in up to half the time as it usually takes. However before the Syphytum you must check that the toes are set in the correct position as otherwise with the symphytum they may heal wrongly. The Arnica gel is fine to rub on but I've never seen much success with it topically!!
Incidently don't worry about your Mother's case history as this is an acute situation so you just prescribe on what is there.

Ricky
Thanks for your reply. I would like to post my mother's case here since she has so many health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. (Not for this acute need)

Her toes are not very black and blue only a little. It is mostly swelling and pain. To me, because it doesn't seem like she really crunched her toes all that hard to make them break, I suspect some osteoporosis. She is 73 years old and had a hysterectomy almost 40 years ago, and never took supplemental hormones. VEry stressed out having to take care of my father who is a real grumpy old fart, along with being very needy, expects her to wait on him all the time (and that was even BEFORE he got all crippled up himself).

I'd have to order the other remedies. Have to make sure she would take them first.

thanks

zmyst

Thanks Ricky,
Use what you got. Post symptoms. Remedies mentioned can have the following uses:
Hypericum for extreme pain in fractures. Ledum where extensive dark bruising and little heat to swelling. Symphytum can reduce the healing time for fractures.

Also symphytum (comfrey) leaves externally will reduce swelling. Replace with new ones as these dry out. Hammalis (witchazel) in dilution can help. Mention these measures as you don't have any of the remedies on hand.

Thanks Frank,
appreciate the advice

zmyst

On the Hypericium. What potency for the pain in fractures. Mom is complaining of pain in toes. She's ready to let me order whatever will work.
Swollen feet, but history of same. That is more a chronic condition with her so I can't tell new swelling from old.

Incidentally, she broke her ankle of the same foot last year. Also tore ligaments in it. Took a LONG time to heal.

Thanks

Zmyst

Just try a 30C and see how she reacts.

Incidently a good specific remedy for weak ankles is Strontium Carb. It is people who are always going over on them.
Does your Mother still have any residual pain from the broken ankle?

I normally prescribe Calc Phosphate Tissue Salts ( Cell salts) to be taken concurrently with Symphytum for fractures to strengthen the bones. I am aware that others won't approve of this but as I say , it is what I do!