Integration of ayurveda and conventional medicine for chronic wound healing

Abstract

Background: Chronic wounds affect around 2.4 – 4.5 million patients in the United States. The burden of wound management is growing rapidly. Objective: Management of chronic wounds with integrated conventional medicine and Ayurveda treatment. Clinical Features: A 52-year-old female patient, presented with non-healing chronic wound on the right leg with pain persisting for 5 years. Initial measurement of the wound was 48 cm length × 13 cm width × 0.4 cm depth. Intervention and Outcomes: Wound depth was measured during different stages of healing along with photographic images. Patient was given Ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily for 10 days, compression leg wraps and diuretics along with washing of the wound with Triphala decoction daily and application of wound dressing with Turmeric powder, neem bark powder and Medihoney daily were done. Marma therapy was performed once a week. Patient was also suggested kapha pacifying diet and lifestyle. Results: The wound was completely healed with normal skin coloration by the sixth week. Conclusions: This case study discusses the use of integration of ayurvedic herbs with conventional medicine for the management of wound healing. Interventional studies should be conducted to better understand the effectiveness of this integrative approach for the treatment of chronic wounds.