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Medical data is for informational purposes only. You should always consult your family physician, or one of our referral physicians prior to treatment.

Adequate Treatment for

Fighting Back Against Arthritis

Robert Bingham, M.D.

First National Seminar

The Rheumatoid Disease Foundation

Birmingham, AL July 18-20, 1985

(Formerly published in The Journal of the Rheumatoid Disease

Foundation, Volume 1, Number 1)

The Roger Wyburn-Mason and Jack M. Blount Foundation

for the Eradication of Rheumatoid Disease

AKA The Arthritis Trust of America ®

7376 Walker Road, Fairview, Tn 37062

Copyright 1986

Summary: The “A, B, Cs” of Arthritis Diseases must be

considered and adequately treated for successful management of the

patient.

“A” is the type of arthritis which must be accurately diagnosed.

“B” is the body of the patient, whose personal health , nutrition,

and resistance to illness must be evaluated and improved.

“C” is for “control” of the disease, which rarely follows the use

of any single method or drug, and challenges the skill and knowl-

edge of the physician and needs the cooperation of the patient to

secure improvement and “permanent relief of symptoms.”

A = Arthritis

Adequate control of arthritis depends, first, on accurate diagno-

sis. Do not overlook the importance of a careful history and physical

examination. These often reveal more than the laboratory tests and

x-rays, although every helpful aid should be employed. For practical

office use, we have some simple classifications:

1. Infectious arthritis due to viruses and bacteria.

2. Metabolic arthritis, including gout and dietary deficiencies.

3. Rheumatoid disease, including arthritis caused by protozoa.

4. Degenerative arthritis, including osteoporosis.

5. Mixed arthritis = patients with two or more types of dis-

eases.

Of the more than 120 varieties of arthritis, it is rare to find a

patient who does not fit in one of these five groups.

The more specific a diagnosis is made the more successful will

be the treatment of the patient. Let us review each category.

Infectious Arthritis

Virus and bacterial infections are usually self-evident, and the

arthritis phenomena are secondary. Treatment of the primary source

will halt the process leaving few residuals. Foci of chronic infection

in teeth, nose and throat, lungs, intestines, kidneys and pelvis must

always be sought and eliminated when found.

Metabolic Arthritis

Careful studies of the body chemistry, diet, hormone balance

and metabolism of patients at our clinic show that more than 60%

show disorders or deficiencies that either are the causes of their

arthritis or contribute to the severity of other forms of arthritis.

Gout signs and symptoms are classic. And the blood uric acid

levels are confirmatory evidence.

Protein deficiencies are often found in association with carbo-

hydrate and fat excesses, obesity, arteriosclerosis and lack of impor-

tant minerals and vitamins. Osteoarthritis may truly be caused by

these factors rather than to “old age” and degenerative changes” in

the bones and joints.

Hormone problems, such as menopausal osteoporosis, are so

very common, and yet are pre-existing conditions in most hip frac-

tures and compression fracture of the spine.

Calcium deficiency and lack of vitamin D in the diet are usu-

ally found together in the same patient, causing “soft bones” which

in x-rays are frequently interpreted as “hypertrophic arthritis” be-

cause of the spurs and exostoses which they produce.

Excess calcium deposits in the body particularly in the carti-

lage of the ribs, indicate a lack of calcium intake rather than a surplus,

and the bones are more atrophic than normal.

Rheumatoid Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis have always

been the “mystery disease” of the medical practice. They are also the

“stars” of our program here today. If we are to conclude that patho-

genic protozoa are the etiological agents of many of these conditions,

we should develop critical diagnostic criteria for those forms of

collagen and auto-immune diseases which respond to the use of

anti-protozoal drugs.

Continuing studies are necessary, but here are listed the clinical

and laboratory findings of patients in this category:

1. Two or more inflammatory joints, usually symmetrical.

2. Synovial swelling and thickening, with or without an in-

crease in joint fluid.

3. Pain is always present, and is the last symptom to respond to

treatment.

4. X-ray: bone atrophy and marginal joint erosions.

5. Laboratory: elevated sedimentation rate, positive rheumatoid

fact (in 90% of cases), mild anemia, increased eosinophils (in 60%

of cases), moderately elevated white blood count.

Medical History:

1. Temporary relief with aspirin or the NSAIDS, the non-

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

2. Improvement with corticosteroids followed by spread of the

disease to joints previously not involved.

Physical Examination:

1. Limitation of motion associated with discomfort. Weakness

and muscle atrophy.

Degenerative Arthritis

A medical history of one or more of the following:

1. Joint injuries, sprains, fractures, falls, etc.

2. Repeated trauma, such as heavy work, lifting, carrying.

3. Micro-trauma, of fingers and hands, with machine work or

housework.

®

Robert Bingham, M.D. (deceased)