A CASE STUDY TO EVALUATE AGNIKARMA WITH SWARNA SHALAKA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TENNIS ELBOW

Tennis elbow is an inflammatory condition of the common extensor origin over the lateral epicondyle. It often follows an injury or sudden contraction of the common extensor origin. The treatment modalities available are anti-inflammatory drugs, ultrasonic therapy, local injection of hydrocortisone and occasionally surgical erasure of the common extensor origin from the lateral epicondyle which have their own limitations and adverse effects. None of these provide satisfactory result. This condition is correlated with snayugata vata of Kurpara sandhi in Ayurveda. Sushruta has mentioned Agnikarma as treatment in snayugata vata. Here a single case of tennis elbow treated with Agnikarma using Swarna shalaka is reported. In this case, Agnikarma was performed using Swarna Shalaka, which provided complete relief from pain and tenderness in two sittings. Significant improvement was observed in pain assessed by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score, grip strength, and range of motion, with negative results in Cozen’s, Mill’s, and Maudsley’s tests after treatment. Agnikarma is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive alternative technique which can be administered in managing Snayugata Vata (tennis elbow).