Randomized controlled comparative clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Vatahar Ghanvati with Bala tail massage in osteoarthritis with special reference to functional changes in knee joint.

Knee osteoarthritis  is a common chronic articular disease worldwide. It is also the most common form of osteoarthritis and is characterized by high morbidity and disability rates With the gradual increase in life expectancy and ageing population, knee osteoarthritis not only affects the quality of life of patients but also poses a burden on global public health osteoarthritis is a disease of unknown etiology and complex pathogenesis. It commonly affects joints subjected to greater loads and higher levels of activity. The knee joint which is the most complex joint of the human body and bears the greatest load among all joints is therefore most susceptible to development of osteoarthritis Knee osteoarthritis lesions may involve articular cartilage synovium joint capsule and periarticular muscles causing irreversible articular damage.Factors such as mechanical overload, inflammation, metabolism, hormonal changes and ageing serve key roles in the acceleration of Knee osteoarthritis progression. The clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis is primarily based on combined analysis of symptoms, signs, imaging and laboratory examination results. At present, there is no cure for knee osteoarthritis and the currently available therapies primarily focus on symptomatic treatment and delay of disease progression. Knee replacement surgery is typically performed in patients with advanced disease. The current study presents a review of epidemiological characteristics risk factors histopathological manifestations pathogenesis diagnosis treatment modalities and progress in knee osteoarthritis research. Sandhigata Vata is a type of Vata Vyadhi described in Ayurveda, characterized by the vitiation of Vata Dosha and its localization in the Sandhi joints leading to pain stiffness and restricted movements. When this condition specifically affects the knee joint Janu Sandhi, it is termed Janusandhigata Vata.In Charaka Samhita, the condition is described as Sandhigata Vata where the vitiated Vata lodges in the joints producing Shoola pain Shotha swelling and Prasarana Akunchana Vedana pain during flexion and extension along with Atopa crepitus Sushruta Samhita elaborates that in Sandhigata Vata, the joint appears enlarged Sandhi Shotha produces sound on movement and movement becomes painful and restricted  From a modern perspective Janusandhigata Vata can be correlated with osteoarthritis of the knee,a chronic degenerative joint disorder involving cartilage wear-and-tear, subchondral bone changes osteophyte formation and synovial inflammation. osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability worldwide, particularly in the elderly population. The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in India is rising due to increasing life expectancy sedentary lifestyle obesity and age related degeneration