An interventional study to assess the combined effect of aswakathri kalka bandhana and aswakathri taila pana along with skin foot traction in OA knee

Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis particularly affecting elderly population. Among them knee joint is one of the most commonly affected joints. It occurs due to progressive loss of cartilage and is characterized by gradual onset of pain, stiffness, swelling, impaired range of movements. Osteoarthritis being correlated with sandhigata vata in Ayurveda is effectively addressed in it. Different modalities of treatment have been mentioned in Susrutha Samhitha for managing Sandhigatavata like Snehana, Abhyanga, Mardana, Svedana, Upanaha,and Bandhana. As Bandhana gives sandhisthairyatha, vedanopasanthi etc and snehanam being a prime treatment for vatavyadhi, both of them are using here along with skin foot traction.A pre and post interventional study will be conducted in the OPD and IPD of Shalya Tantra department of government Ayurveda College Kannur to assess combined effect of kalka bandhana and taila pana along with skin foot traction in grade 1, 2 and 3 osteoarthritis knee. Aswakathri (Drynaria quercifolia), a drug which has proven anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-osteoarthritic actions through several studies will be using here for bandhana and tailapana. 37 participants within the age group of 40-70 years will be selected through consecutive sampling based on ACR clinical criteria and radiological findings and will be divided into 3 groups under grade 1, 2,and 3 of osteoarthritis knee. Participants will be given aswakathri kalka bandhana in knee for 1 week and tailapana for 2 weeks. Along with that skin foot traction will be done. After doing procedure for 3 weeks participants will be assessed based on WOMAC criteria, swelling, pain, ROM and tug test. Scoring will be done before and after treatment and outcome variables will be inferred. The data will be statistically analyzed and conclusions will be drawn.