CLINICAL EFFECT OF AGNIKARMA WITH ERAND PAK IN THE MANAGEMENT OF JANU SANDHIGATA VATA (KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS): A CASE REPORT

Knee Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disorder characterized by pain, stiffness, tenderness, crepitus, restricted joint movement and progressive functional disability. It can be corelated with Janu Sandhigata Vata in Ayurveda as both the entities exhibits similar clinical symptoms. Agnikarma is a para-surgical procedure described in Ayurvedic classical texts, is considered beneficial in disorders involving Vata and Kapha. Erand Pak is a classical Ayurvedic preparation used in Vata-predominant musculoskeletal disorders. A 60 years old female patient diagnosed with Janu Sandhigata Vata (knee Osteoarthritis) presented to the OPD. Patient had been taking NSAID’s regularly that provided sympotomatic relief. However, she subsequently noticed gastritis, compelling her to seek alternative treatment at our hospital. Patient was treated with Agnikarma using Suvarna Shalaka over the affected knee joint along with Erand Pak orally. Assessment of patient done before and after treatment using subjective and objective parameters including pain, stiffness, tenderness, swelling, crepitus, Gait /walking speed and Range of movement. After treatment, patient’s symptoms were significantly reduced and functional ability was improved. The present case was successfully managed with Agnikarma along with Erand Pak. It suggests that, considering the chronicity of the disease, long term use of NSAID’s and steroids is not desirable, this particular combination may be a useful therapeutic approach in the management of Janu Sandhigata Vata w. s. r. to knee osteoarthritis. The observed improvement demands further evaluation through adequately designed clinical studies with larger sample sizes and appropriate controls.