A CLINICAL STUDY ON AGNIKARMA AND JALAUKA AVACHARANA WITH ABHA GUGGULU IN MANAGEMENT OF SANDHIGATA VATA (OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE JOINT)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is predominantly a disease of the elderly but no age is exempted. It is caused by wear and tear of the joint. In OA, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears always. Worldwide OA is the most common joint disorder. OA is the commonest from of joints disease which is a painful and disabling in advancing years of life. Before 60 years of age 10 out of 100 and after 60 years 75 out of 100 persons suffers from OA of knee joints. After 60 years of age, this disease creates so much trouble that medical consultation becomes mandatory. Worldwide OA is the most common articular disease of people of 65 years and above.

In Ayurveda OA can be correlated with Sandhigata Vata. It is characterised by the symptoms of Shotha (swelling), Shula (pain), Vata Purna Driti Sparsha (palpable as an air filled bag) and Akunchana Prasarane Vedana (pain on flexion and extension of the joint), Hantisandhi (structural changes) and Atopa (crepitus).

In modern medicine various treatment options are available like conservative treatment, epidural steroid injection, radicular infiltration, surgical methods but all modalities have their own limitations and certain complications. In Ayurveda, Snehana, Upanaha, Agnikarma, Raktamokshana, Panchakarma, Bheshaja Chikitsa etc. have been recommended in the management of such manifestations. Among these Agnikarma and Raktamokshana have their own therapeutic values in the management of Sandhigata Vata. Jalauka avacharana is a kind of Raktamokshana, which has gained greater attention globally because of its medical values. It is also a procedure adviced in the management of OA.

Abha Guggulu is known for its Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Shulahara (analgesic), Rasyana (Rejuvenative), Sandhankara (healing properties) actions. It is anticipated to be helpful in the treatment of OA. Though, it is being used in Ayurveda; but no comparative efficacy is available; considering which the current study is planned.