Effect of Therapeutic Burn with Copper Rod (Agnikarma with Tamrashalaka) in the Management of Osteoarthritis of Knee (JanusandhigatVata)

Osteoarthritis of knee is more prevalent in Indian population. Osteoarthritis is the 2nd most common disease in the world population. Worldwide estimates indicate that 9.6% of men and 18% of women ? 60 years have symptomatic OA. The reported prevalence of Osteoarthritis from a study in rural India is 5.78%.Patients affected by this disease suffer from pain and loss of function. At present, there is no cure for OA. The management of OA is broadly divided into non-pharmacological, pharmacological, and surgical treatments, which are highly symptomatic and commonly associated with troublesome side effects.These treatments are either expensive or not available for common people in developing countries. Acharya Sushrutahas explained Vayu entrapped in Snayu (muscles), Sandhi (joint) and Asthi (bone) which should be treated with Agnikarma (therapeutic burn). Hence the patient should be kept under Agnikarma therapy. Material and Method: 50 pts. Were selected from the dept. of Panchakarma OPD Bharati Vidyapeeth Ayurveda Hospital Pune. Copper Rod Purchased from Pune Market. Therapeutic burn with copper rod was done on maximum area of tenderness on affected knee joint daily morning at 11 am, Time 5-10 seconds for 5 to 6 points daily for 7 days. Assessment was done on 0th ,7th and f/u was taken on 15th and 30th day. Parameters of signs and symptoms recorded before and after treatment. Conclusion: Agnikarama shown significant results (i.e. P value is less than0.05) in cardinal signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of Knee.