Diabetic foot ulcer with osteomyelitis, successfully treated with the holistic approach of multiple ayurvedic treatment modalities
Case report published in Int J Surg Case Rep (2023)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) with osteomyelitis is the devastating condition, which is a challenge to surgeons in saving the limb of the patient and in many circumstances ends up with amputation, which leaves physical and psychosocial trauma for both the patient and patient's family. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 48-year-old female patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes presented with swelling and gangrenous deep circular ulcer of size approx. 3 × 4 cm on plantar aspect of great toe of her left foot with involvement of first webspace from last three months. Plain X ray showed disrupted and necrotic proximal phalanx suggestive of diabetic foot ulcer with osteomyelitis. Despite using antibiotics and antidiabetic drugs for past three months she didn't get significant response and was suggested for toe amputaion. Hence, she approached our hospital for further treatment. We successfully treated the patient with the holistic approach of surgical debridement, medicinal leech therapy (MLT), irrigation of the wound with triphala decoction, jatyadi tail dressings, oral ayurvedic antidiabetic drugs to control blood sugar levels and a mixture of herbo mineral drug which is having antimicrobial property. DISCUSSION: DFU may lead to infection, gangrene, amputation, death of the patient. Hence it is the need of the hour to look for limb salvage treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: The holistic approach of these ayurvedic treatment modalities are effective and safe in treating DFUs with osteomyelitis and in preventing amputation.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
48-year-old woman with diabetic foot ulcer and osteomyelitis successfully treated through surgical debridement, medicinal leech therapy, triphala irrigation, jatyadi tail dressings, oral antidiabetic ayurvedic drugs and antimicrobial mineral formulations, avoiding toe amputation.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este caso clínico describe a una mujer de 48 años con una úlcera de pie relacionada con diabetes tipo 2 no controlada, complicada con osteomielitis, que tras fracasar tres meses de tratamiento con antibióticos y antidiabéticos fue tratada con un abordaje holístico ayurvédico que incluyó desbridamiento quirúrgico, terapia con sanguijuelas medicinales, irrigación con decocción de triphala, apósitos con jatyadi tail, antidiabéticos orales ayurvédicos y un agente antimicrobiano herbo-mineral. El tratamiento se reportó como exitoso para evitar la amputación. La terapia con sanguijuelas es un componente de un régimen multimodal, lo que la hace relevante pero no aislable como intervención decisiva. Al tratarse de un caso clínico único con terapias concurrentes, no aporta evidencia comparativa sobre la hirudoterapia por sí sola.
Citación
Diabetic foot ulcer with osteomyelitis, successfully treated with the holistic approach of multiple ayurvedic treatment modalities - A case report.
Bopparathi S, KV NR · International journal of surgery case reports, 2023
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 26, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026