Wound healing effect of Vimlāpanakarma with Jātyādi tailam in diabetic foot

Abstract

Introduction:

Diabetic Foot ulcer is the commonest burning problem in the society. Many histopathological studies show prolonged inflammatory phase in diabetic wounds. In Sushruta Samhita, Vimlāpanakarma (gentle massage) quoted, as first line of treatment for Vranashotha (inflammation).

Case Report:

A 70 yrs old male patient, presented with complaints of ulcer associated with severe pain and reddish skin discoloration over ventral aspect of 3^rd toe of right foot since 2 months. Vimlāpanakarma performed with Jātyādi taila around the wound for about 15-20 minutes daily for 10 days and follow-up done for period of 45 days.

Discussion:

By Vimlāpanakarma with Jātyādi taila there will be raised local temperature, due to which vasoconstriction is relieved and necessary nutrients, oxygen, insulin etc. are carried to the wound site, thereby improving the anoxic condition of wound.

Conclusion:

Vimlāpanakarma showed significant role in wound healing of Diabetic Foot ulcer, in a short period of time 10 days with no recurrence seen till 45 days follow-up.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the most common and major complication of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus impedes normal steps of wound healing process. In diabetic wounds, healing does not occur due to obstruction in the blood supply (anoxic) and obvious diabetic neuropathy.[1] A classical triad of neuropathy, ischemia and infection characterizes the diabetic foot.[2]

In Suśrutasaṃhitā in the 17^th chapter of the sūtrasthāna titled āmapakvaiṣaṇīya adhyāya in the context of saptopakrama and in the first chapter of cikitsāsthāna, dvivraṇīyacikitsita in the context of ṣaṣṭhi upakrama, we get the reference of vimlāpanakarma (gentle massage) for the management of both vraṇaśotha and vraṇa.[3,4] Vimlāpanakarma is the preliminary treatment modality mentioned for vraṇaśotha (inflammation), wherein there is an obstruction of vātakaphadoṣa.[5] To relieve such obstruction, to sensitize the cells in and around the wound and to enhance the rate of wound healing vimlāpanakarma is selected.[3,4]

Wound healing involves continuous cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions that allow the process to proceed in three overlapping phase's viz., inflammation (0–3 days), cellular proliferation (3–12 days) and remodeling (3–6 months).[6] Adequate tissue perfusion/oxygenation, proper nutrition, and moist wound healing environment are required to restore the anatomical continuity and maintain the function of the affected part. Healing is complete by firm knitting of wound edges with collagen.[7]

Many histopathological studies show prolonged inflammatory phase in diabetic wounds, which causes a delay in the formation of mature granulation tissue and hence a reduction in wound tensile strength.[8] Eventually, biological science has proven the essentiality of extracellular matrix (ECM) and its role in wound healing. To maintain the integrity of ECM and thereafter avoiding programmed cell death[9] in DFU, vimlāpanakarma, a treatment methodology which resolves inflammation present around the wound and helps in blood circulation thereby aiding in early wound healing was selected.[4,5]

CASE REPORT

A 70-year-old male patient, presented with complaints of ulcer associated with severe pain and reddish skin discoloration over a ventral aspect of the third toe of his right foot since 2 months [Figure 1]. Patient was said to be healthy and asymptomatic 2 months before this, he noticed small bleb over the third toe of right foot, which burst out into ulcer and went on increasing in size with severe pain and reddish skin discoloration around it. He consulted a nearby physician and got wound dressing daily but did not get relief. Following this, he approached our hospital in search of better treatment.

Figure 1.

Before treatment

According to his statement, it was found that the pain was severe and of burning type and the ulcer was increasing in size every day with foul smelling and pus-like discharge through it. Patient is k/c/o diabetic since 8 years and was on medication using tablet glycinase 1 bid. There was neither H/O hypertension nor any other chronic illness. Patient was addicted to beedi (a type of cigarette filled with tobacco flakes and wrapped in Bauhinia racemosa leaf) smoking from past 30 years but had stopped it since the past 2 years.

Diagnosis

The case was diagnosed clinically along with hematological reports as DFU of Grade-II Wagner's classification for DFU.

Treatment

Vimlāpanakarma with Jātyāditailam.[5]

Methodology

The procedure was carried out in aseptic conditions wearing surgical gloves. Jātyāditailam was applied all around the ulcer, and vimlāpanakarma was carried out. The size of the ulcer was small and place of occurrence was in the toe region and hence a single thumb with the pulp of the fingers were used for vimlāpanakarma around the ulcer followed with Jātyāditailam dressing and bandaging.[10] No internal medications are given during the treatment period [Figure 2].

Figure 2.

During treatment

Duration of treatment

Vimlāpanakarma was performed with Jātyāditailam around the wound for about 15–20 min daily for 10 days and the patient was followed-up over a period of 45 days.

Assessment criteria

The results were evaluated by subjective and objective parameters mainly based on clinical observation by grading method.[11] The pain was assessed using visual analogue scale and the wound (vraṇa-ākṛti) was measured in centimeters with the help of thread and scale method, graph method and photography before, during and after the treatment. Vraṇalakṣaṇas were graded as symptomless (−), mild (+), moderate (++) and severe (+++) [Table 1].

Table 1.

Pain and ulcer size with intervention of vimlāpanakarma, BT

Subjective parameters of vraṇa

• Vedana (pain)

• Varṇa (coloration)

• Srāva (discharge)

• Gandha (odor)

• Māṃsāṅkura (granulation tissue)

• Ākṛti (shape).

Objective parameters

• Ulcer size.

OBSERVATION AND RESULTS

[Table 2, Graph 1].

Table 2.

Observations & Results: Follow-up Chart

Graph 1.

The assessment of wound healing

DISCUSSION

The key feature of wound healing is the stepwise repair of lost ECM that forms the largest component of the dermal skin layer. This is possible only when the obstruction in the blood capillaries present at the site of the wound is relieved. Gentle massage using Jātyāditailam with the help of the thumb and pulp of the fingers leads to rise in the local temperature. This in turn leads to relieving of vasoconstriction and thereby the necessary nutrients, oxygen, insulin etc., are carried to the wound site. It is through this mechanism that the anoxic condition of wound is alleviated and it helps in the regeneration of the epithelial cells and heals the wound in a shorter duration of time, when compared to the other wound healing processes seen in the DFU.

CONCLUSION

Vimlāpanakarma showed a significant role in wound healing of DFU, in a short period (10 days) with no recurrence seen till 45 days follow-up[Figure 3]. When compared with other contemporary treatment modalities, vimlāpanakarma seems to have superior effect coupled with its ease to practice. It is also time-saving, cost effective and provides convincing results in a diabetic ulcer. Further study of vimlāpanakarma can be carried out to evaluate its efficacy in other chronic non-healing ulcers such as varicose ulcers, trophic ulcers, etc.

Figure 3.

After treatment

Take home message

Timely practice of vimlāpanakarma will help avoid the further complications of the ulcers such as gangrene and will help prevent amputation.