“ORTHOPEDICS IN AYURVEDA – VATARAKTA (GOUTY ARTHRITIS) “
Introduction:
Vatarakta is a disease of multiple causation i.e. the metabolic or biochemical disturbance, the effects of stress and the allergic status. The main target organs of Vatarakta belongs to a particular group of organs i.e. Marmasthisandhis (Marma- vital points, Asthi- bones& Sandhi – joints) includes Peshi (muscles), Snayu (tendons) and Siras (blood vessels).
Etiological factors:
Aharajam:
• Excessive intake of salty, sour, spicy and alkalis food, also dry, unctuous and ushna content food
• Consumption of dry leafy vegetables and flesh of aquatic animals
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Adhyashana – Eating before the complete digestion of previous food
• Vishamashana – irregular meals
Viharajam:
• Sleeping during day time
• Lack of physical exercise and excessive physical exercise
• Excessive sexual indulgence
• Trauma
• Keeping late hours or not sleeping during nights
• Walking long distances
• Suppression of natural urges
• Fasting
Seasonal and climatic factors
• Cold
• Cloudy & windy day
• Winter and rainy seasons
• Excessive intake of salty, sour, spicy and alkalis food, also dry, unctuous and ushna content food
• Consumption of dry leafy vegetables and flesh of aquatic animals
• Excessive consumption of alcohol
• Adhyashana – Eating before the complete digestion of previous food
• Vishamashana – irregular meals
Viharajam:
• Sleeping during day time
• Lack of physical exercise and excessive physical exercise
• Excessive sexual indulgence
• Trauma
• Keeping late hours or not sleeping during nights
• Walking long distances
• Suppression of natural urges
• Fasting
Seasonal and climatic factors
• Cold
• Cloudy & windy day
• Winter and rainy seasons
Types of Vatarakta
➢ Utthana Vatarakta: in which the disease in confined to twak and mamsa dhatu.
➢ Gambhira Vatarakta : in which the disease is situated in the remaining dhatus of shakhas.
Signs and symptoms of Utthana Vatarakta
• Itching sensation
• Burning sensation
• Pain and swelling
• Pricking pain
• Throbbing pain
• Slight flexure of the joint
• Red and bluish red discoloration of skin over joints
Signs and symptoms of Gambhira Vatarakta
• Pain in the joints is severe that felt in the Uttana veriety
• Swelling and stiffness of joints
• Swelling like nodules which are hard and painful, covered by dark or copper colored skin. There is a burning sensation, pricking pain, throbbing sensation and these swellings are likely to inflame and suppurate also
➢ Gambhira Vatarakta : in which the disease is situated in the remaining dhatus of shakhas.
Signs and symptoms of Utthana Vatarakta
• Itching sensation
• Burning sensation
• Pain and swelling
• Pricking pain
• Throbbing pain
• Slight flexure of the joint
• Red and bluish red discoloration of skin over joints
Signs and symptoms of Gambhira Vatarakta
• Pain in the joints is severe that felt in the Uttana veriety
• Swelling and stiffness of joints
• Swelling like nodules which are hard and painful, covered by dark or copper colored skin. There is a burning sensation, pricking pain, throbbing sensation and these swellings are likely to inflame and suppurate also
Treatment:
For Utthana Vatarakta:
Snehanam, Swedanam, Siravyadha, Upanaha and Samshamana Chikitsa are advocated
For Gambhira Vatarakta:
Snehanam, Swedanam, Siravyadha, Basti and Samshamana Chikitsa advocated.
Snehanam, Swedanam, Siravyadha, Upanaha and Samshamana Chikitsa are advocated
For Gambhira Vatarakta:
Snehanam, Swedanam, Siravyadha, Basti and Samshamana Chikitsa advocated.
Case report:
Case report of 50 years old male patient suffering from Utthana variety of Vatarakta, (acc to Doshaja classification, Kaphadhikya Vatarakta). After taking Ayurveda treatment for three days marked reduction of pain and swelling. Figure no 1 and 2 (before and after treatment resp.)