Ayurvedic management of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of femoral head: A case study

Abstract

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) is a progressive degenerative condition of bone, caused by interruption to the blood supply. While it can affect any bone, AVN is especially common in the hip joint. Disease has very poor prognosis in modern orthopaedic practice. Treatment aspect of AVN in contemporary science revolves around the pain relieving medicine to total hip replacement surgery, which have drawbacks of long term recovery and short life span of hip joint. On contrary Ayurvedic treatment provides long term relief and stops the progression of disease without any drawback. There is no direct co-relation of AVN and Asthi-Majja GataVata but on their clinical presentations it is Vata Pradhana Tridoshaja Vyadhi with Vikruti of Asthi-Majja Dhatu. Following is documentation of improvement in patient diagnosed with AVN.  A male patient of age 50 years consulted to OPD department, with complaints of pain in bilateral hip joints (right more than left) with difficulty in walking since 8 months. The patient was treated with Tikataka Ksheera Basti Chikitsa as Kala Basti schedule. Hence the study concluded the Basti Karma is one of the potential treatment options in AVN management.