Jul 2026· International Ayurvedic Medical Journal· pp. 1994· 0 citations· 6 references
TL;DR
It is suggested that a comprehensive Ayurvedic treatment approach may provide substantial symptomatic relief and functional improvement in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis, potentially offering a conservative management option in selected cases.
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder that significantly impairs mobility and quality of life. It is a leading cause of disability in older adults. Based on the Kellgren-Lawrence system of radiological grad-ing, Grade 4 OA represents the most advanced stage, for which total knee replacement is often recommended. This case report describes the outcome of conservative Ayurvedic management in a 62 -year-old female diagnosed with grade 4 knee osteoarthritis. The treatment protocol included external therapies along with appropriate internal Ayurvedic medications. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) for pain and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, before and after the treatment. Following treatment, the patient demonstrat-ed marked improvement in pain, mobility, and functional capacity. Significant reductions in NPRS pain scores and TUG test duration were observed, along with improvement in knee joint range of motion. This case suggests that a comprehensive Ayurvedic treatment approach may provide substantial symptomatic relief and functional im-provement in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis, potentially offering a conservative management option in selected cases
There is a need for an integrated assessment combining clinical evaluation and radiological findings to guide treatment planning for patients with knee OA, and BMI is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis.
Krishna bahadur Bista, R. Dhakal, Bodh Raj Gautam et al.· A Bi-annual South Asian Jour...· 0 citations
Pain accompanied by joint dysfunction is common during the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), a manual therapy technique, is increasingly used to alleviate knee osteoarthritis symptoms. However, predictors of treatment response to OMT remain poorly understood. This study aimed to examine (1) short-term changes in pain, function, and lower-limb alignment following OMT intervention, (2) baseline factors predictive of symptom improvement after OMT. In this prospective observational study, participants received a standardized OMT protocol twice weekly for two weeks, with no other concurrent interventions. Outcomes included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and 12-items Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) assessed at baseline and two weeks. Standing full-leg radiographs were obtained at both time points to measure coronal and sagittal alignment angles, including the hip-knee-ankle angle, joint-line convergence angle, and sagittal hip-knee-ankle angle. Changes from baseline to post-treatment were analyzed using paired t-tests. The reliability of radiographic measurements was evaluated in a subset of images via duplicate independent assessments, calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change at 95% confidence (MDC95). Multiple linear regression was performed to identify baseline predictors of WOMAC improvement, adjusting for demographic variables, symptom duration, baseline WOMAC and SF-12 scores, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and baseline alignment parameters. Among 128 participants, the WOMAC score decreased by a mean of 18.31 points and the SF-12 score increased by 27.56 points after two weeks. Higher baseline WOMAC scores predicted greater improvement, whereas longer symptom duration predicted less improvement. The difference in the sagittal hip-knee-ankle angle before and after the intervention was statistically significant, with an increase of 2.03° post-intervention. Radiographic measurement reliability was excellent at both time points, baseline (ICC = 0.968, 95% CI 0.941-0.983; SEM = 0.555°; MDC95 = 1.539°) and post-treatment (ICC = 0.985, 95% CI 0.975-0.993; SEM = 0.519°; MDC95 = 1.440°). Short term improvements in symptoms, function, and health related quality of life were observed following two weeks of standardized osteopathic manipulative treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Greater baseline symptom severity and shorter symptom duration were independently associated with greater improvement in WOMAC scores, whereas most baseline radiographic parameters showed limited independent predictive value. The observed change in sagittal knee alignment is more likely to reflect a short term functional or postural adaptation than structural remodeling.Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2300074433, http://www.chictr.org.cn/, August 2023.
Binghua Zhang, Youyue Pang, Yicong Bai et al.· Scientific Reports· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder commonly affecting older adults and is characterized by cartilage deterioration, joint stiffness, chronic pain, and reduced functional ability. As long-term pharmacological therapy may have limitations and adverse effects, nonpharmacological interventions are increasingly being explored for pain management. Mustard plaster is a traditional topical remedy believed to improve local blood circulation and reduce joint pain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A quantitative, preexperimental, one-group pretest and posttest design was conducted among 40 participants diagnosed with knee OA. Participants were selected using a nonprobability consecutive sampling technique. Baseline pain intensity was assessed using a standardized pain scale before the application of mustard plasters. Following the intervention, pain levels were reassessed using the same tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the paired t-test.
RESULTS
Before the intervention, most participants experienced moderate pain, while only one participant reported no pain. After the application of mustard plasters, 33 (82.5%) participants reported the absence of pain. The mean reduction in pain score between pretest and posttest was 4.75. Statistical analysis showed a highly significant reduction in pain (t = 23.92, df = 39).
CONCLUSION
Mustard plaster was found to be an effective, affordable, and simple nonpharmacological intervention for reducing pain in patients with knee OA and may serve as a useful complementary therapy in OA pain management.
Nikitaben Dahyabhai Patel, Arti Muley· Annals of African medicine· 0 citations
Knee osteoarthritis is a common and progressive musculoskeletal condition that contributes substantially to pain, functional limitation, and reduced quality of life, particularly among middle-aged and older adults. The increasing diversity of available treatments highlights the need for an integrated understanding of their roles in clinical management. This narrative review aims to synthesize current therapeutic strategies for knee pain associated with osteoarthritis and examine their position within a stepwise treatment pathway. Relevant literature published between 2010 and 2025 was identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect using keywords related to knee osteoarthritis, pain, risk factors, and treatment. The literature was synthesized across conservative, pharmacological, intra-articular, minimally invasive, and surgical approaches. The findings indicate that exercise, weight management, and lifestyle modification remain the foundation of treatment. Pharmacological therapies provide additional symptom control but may be limited by adverse effects. Platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid represent additional options for persistent symptoms, while genicular artery embolization and radiofrequency-based procedures may help bridge the treatment gap between conventional management and surgery. Total knee arthroplasty remains the definitive option for advanced disease. Overall, knee osteoarthritis management should follow a multimodal, individualized, and stepwise approach according to disease severity, functional limitations, treatment response, and patient characteristics
Tymoteusz Białowąs, Dominika Karolak, N. Kuśmierowska et al.· JITSS (Journal of Innovation...· 0 citations
Intervertebral disc bulge is a fairly prevalent musculoskeletal condition associated with chronic pain in the lower back, radiculopathy, mobility dysfunction and disability, and may overlap with the diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis. But with diabetes mellitus, the tendency for healing may be delayed, the inflammatory reactions and side effects of steroids and surgery may increase, making management more difficult. Case report on treatment of a farmer man aged 39 years had been diagnosed as lumbar stenosis with diffuse bulges at L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels with foraminal narrowing, mild thecal sac compression and traumatic hip joint inflammation of right hip joint as a case illustration of successful treatment through the Ayurvedic medicine.
The patient had severe pain in the lower back (Katishul), disturbed sleep, inability to walk without the support of a walker and right lower limb radiating pain and tingling sensation (Shoth). All clinical findings persisted and were still associated with significant functional impairment despite surgical (traditional orthopedic) and steroid therapy. The treatment modality was given in Panchakarma format in various stages like Lep Chikitsa, Sarvang Snehan with Til Tail, Dashamul Bashpa Swedan, Sthanik Taildhara with Murivenna and Kottamchukkadi Taila, Shashtika Shali Pinda Sweda processed with Bala and Ashwagandha. The internal medicines such as Kaishor Guggul, Lakshadi Guggul, Aampachak Vati, Mahamanjistadi Kashay were also given.
Post treatment, there was appreciable clinical improvement which involved reduction in intensity of pain, abolition of hip swelling, and improvement in gait, mobility, neurological symptoms and improved quality of sleep. The patient slowly began to move about without any much help and started functioning independently. In insulin dependent diabetes, in monitoring blood glucose level due attention was taken and there is personalization in Panchakarma schedule.
The present case thus shows that not only the conservative and integrative measures like Panchakarma in medically complicated diabetes, but the same is effective in the case of Lumbar stenosis with radiculopathy along with traumatic inflammatory condition also.
Dr. Vinay Dadasaheb Chavan, Dr. Prashant Jalindar Chavan, Dr. Ajinkya Bharamu Kondekar et al.· PAIN, JOINTS, SPINE· 0 citations
Grade III lymphedema associated with bilateral knee osteoarthritis is a clinical condition that significantly impairs functionality, mobility, and quality of life, particularly in older adults. This study aimed to report the effects of physiotherapeutic intervention in a patient diagnosed with grade III lower-limb lymphedema associated with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. This is a descriptive case report with a qualitative approach conducted at the Physical Therapy Teaching Clinic of Iguaçu University. The physiotherapeutic assessment included medical history, inspection, palpation, goniometry, perimetry, muscle strength assessment using the Oxford Scale, gait analysis, and pain evaluation through the Visual Analog Scale. The treatment protocol consisted of manual lymphatic drainage, joint mobilization, therapeutic stretching, and mobility exercises. At the end of the follow-up period, a reduction in edema, improved joint mobility, pain relief, gait improvement, and partial recovery of functional capacity were observed. These findings reinforce the importance of physiotherapy as a conservative treatment strategy for managing lymphedema associated with knee osteoarthritis, contributing to functional recovery and improved quality of life.
Carlos Alvarenga dos Santos Filho, Gabrielle da Silva Santos, Cláudio Elídio Almeida Portella· Revista de Estudos Interdisc...· 0 citations
