A review of the utility of BBCR in management of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder worldwide, characterized by cartilage degeneration, synovial inflammation, osteophyte formation, and narrowing of joint space, leading to pain and disability. Dr. Ashwani Kumar Pankaj conducted an open‑label, single‑arm clinical study at M.N. Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Institute, Bikaner, to evaluate the utility of Boger Boenninghausen’s Characteristic Repertory (BBCR) in the management of OA. A total of 100 radiographically confirmed cases, aged 35–90 years, were included over a 12‑month period, with exclusions for pregnancy, other joint diseases, and immunocompromised states. Outcome assessment was based on the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and follow‑up of associated complaints. Results showed that 89 patients experienced mild to marked improvement, while 11 cases remained unchanged. The study concluded that individualized homoeopathic prescriptions guided by BBCR significantly reduced pain and improved functional outcomes in OA patients. The findings highlight the practical utility of BBCR in clinical management, though the rationale for the study design was not clearly articulated.