Im 21, with osteo-arthitis in my left ankle and its not a lot of fun. I was wondering if anyone could give me some personal recommendations as to herbs/vitamins/techniques etc. that they have used and which has proven to be of some use.

Thanks guys!

Off the top of my head right now - if you can find a feverfew plant at the garden center - get one and eat the leaves in a sandwich, but be warned it's bitter!! The leaves straight off the plant are much better than what you can buy in pill form at the herbalist.
I'll have a think about what essential oils are best.....

Essential oils ((in a carrier oil, like almond) to massage direct onto the ankle - but be sure to use more pressure down the leg - black pepper, cedarwood, bergamot or rosemary - a combination of 2 is good.
Also it would do you no harm to take a Vitamin E pill daily (for the joints) - be sure to get a reputable make, don't go for the cheapest.
Hope that helps!
Oh yes, if you can spare the cash, a good foot massage/reflexology would be helpful too.

Sorry to hear that and I know it's a bit of a shock. Did you have an accident when you were younger to cause it?
I have osteo-arthritis in my spine and both knees, so I know how it can affect your life if you let it. I had it in my back since my teens but it didnt show up on x-ray until I was 31.
My suggestion would be to get advice on exercises that will tone-up and strengthen all the other muscles around your affected joint. This way there will be less stress on the joint itself and is likely to slow up any further deterioration. Preventing further damage is important, because when the joint is bad you'll be more likely to have problems with muscle spasms through overworking them to compensate for the weakness of the actual joint.
If you're like me, apart from the pain itself, there are times when the joint feels inflammed and times when it goes cold. I originally dreamt of ARNICA as being what I needed, so as I hadn't heard about it before I went out and found it, being guided to choose the Arnica Balm out of the ones I could see. It's really good and has a lovely warming affect if you massage it in as it's like an oil and it helps relieve any stiffness you may have too. It cost s over £7 a bottle from health food shops but it lasts ages.
Glucosamine helps a lot of people, but I prefer to use a gel made from the GREEN LIPPED MUSSEL and CHRONDRITIN and this is soothing and cooling if your joint is inflammed.

Thanks very much myriad and rocketgirl.

The pain is bearable, manage to get about but its the emotional side of things, it strongly deters me from doing things, going out with friends, going on holiday. Sometimes I just feel like the clock is ticking down till my ankle is totally destroyed.

Any lovely physios wanting a blow by blow thesis/uni dissertation on arthritic joints, PM me

myriad: just curious, Ive tried some Tiger Balm ointment, and that has helped me, there is a plesant warm, tingling feeling, but im curious as to HOW exactly it works. Is it just the placebo effect or what?

Thanks

I have arthritic pains in my knee joints and I use cod liver oil tablets. I know they work because me knees ache when I dont take them, but dont ache when I do. They worked for my dad as well.

Bex

PM for you hun