Orthopedic Disorders (Asthi Roga & Sandhi Roga)
Orthopedic disorders are mostly caused by Vata dosha vitiation, Ama accumulation, Dhatu Kshaya (tissue depletion), and Srotas obstruction (blocked body channels). Below is a breakdown of the major disorders, with their causes, signs, and symptoms in Ayurvedic terms.
1. Sandhivata (Osteoarthritis)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Sandhi Shoola ( Knee joint pain, especially weight-bearing joints)
- Shotha (mild swelling)
- Sparsha Asahatva (tenderness)
- Hanti (restricted movement)
- Shabda (crepitus or cracking sound in joints)
- Ruksha (dryness in joints)
Panchakarmarma Treatment
- Senahan ( Oli Massage) & Swedan ( Hot fomentation) are base line of treatments
- Tap Sweda (localized steam) over affected joints
- Patra Pinda Sweda or Shalishashthik Sweda using medicinal leaves or Medicine cooked rise
- Janu Basti / Kati Basti / Manya Basti: Oil retention therapy on knee, lumbar, or cervical area
- Basti (Medicated Enema): Anuvasana Basti with Taila, Niruha Basti (Kashaya Basti)
- Virechana (Purgation) Medicines
Causes :
- Aging (Jara)
- Vata aggravating factors: excessive walking, fasting, dry/cold food
- Overuse or injury to joints
- Weak Asthi and Majja Dhatu
Medicine-
- Shulomi
- Shulomi Plus
- Ashtipurak
- Dasharasnadi Kashay
- Yograj Guggul or Mahayograj Guggul
- Trailokyavijaya vati
- Eranda Haritaki
- Pain relief oil
2. Aamavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Sandhi Shotha (swelling in joints)
- Stabdha Gatrata (stiffness of body parts)
- Sandhi Shoola (intense joint pain)
- Jwara (fever) – especially in early stages
- Angamarda (body ache)
- Aruchi (loss of appetite)
- Alasya (fatigue)
- Sanchari Vedana : Shifting Pain from one joint to another joint is basic diagnosis for Amavata
- Vruchikdanshavat Vedana : Typical Pain like Scorpion bite – Throbbing pain
Medicinal Treatment
- Shulomi
- Shulomi Plus
- Nshof & Nshof G
- Amavatari
- Mithamaruta
- Nityananad
- Sinhanad
- Eranda Haritaki
- Vtaghna Drops
- Trailokya Vijaya
Panchakarma Treatment -
- Deepana-Pachana (Ama digestion)
- Langhana (Fasting): Light or liquid diet to relieve metabolic stress
- Snehana: After Ama is digested, begin Abhyanga
- Swedana: Tap Sweda or Nadi Sweda to reduce stiffness and inflammation
- Virechana: Mild purgation using Trivrit Leha or Gandharv sneha to eliminate Ama and Pitta
- Basti: Vaitaran Basti
- Kashaya Basti with anti-inflammatory herbs.
- Anuvasana Basti with tail
- Janu/Kati/Manya Basti: Based on affected joints to deliver localized healing
- Pinda sewda: Ruksha sweda to particular Joint or all over body
3. Vatarakta (Gout)-
Signs and Symptoms:
- Teekshna Vedana (sharp pain)
- Okhu visha Danshvat Vedana ( Burning sensation)
- Sparsha Asahatva (extreme tenderness)
- Shotha (swelling), especially in small joints like the big toe
- Pain starts from Leg fingers
- Jwar – mild fever
- Sandhi Araktata – Redness at Joint
Panchakarma Treatment-
- Raktamokshana (Bloodletting)
- Siravyadha or Leech therapy (Jalaukavacharana) to purify blood
- Snehan
- Swedana
- Tap Sweda
- Virechan
- Basti:
- Tiktashira Basti is main line of treatment
- Lepa
Causes :
- Vitiation of Vata and Rakta (blood) due to:
- Spicy, salty, and hot food
- Alcohol, especially wine
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Holding in natural urges
*Medicines-
- Mithamaruta
- Sanshamani Vati
- Shrilam Tab
- Anjita Tab
- Sinhanad Guggul
- Kaishor Guggul
- Shothari Guggul
- Vatarakta Kadha / Kokilakshyadi Kashayam
- Erand Haritaki / Sonalax Tab
- Vataghn Drops / Chandanbala Lakshadi Tailam
4. Asthi Kshaya (Osteoporosis)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Asthi Shoola (bone pain)
- Dourbalya (weakness)
- Prakshina Sharira (emaciation)
- Sandhi Vedana (joint pain)
Panchakarmarma Treatment –
- Snehan – Asthiposhak Oil
- Swedan – Vatashamak Steam
- Pinda Sweda – Shalishashtik Pind Sweda
- Patra Pinda Sweda / using medicinal leaves
- Janu Basti / Kati Basti / Manya Basti
- Sarvang Dhara
- Oil retention therapy on knee, lumbar, or cervical area
- Basti (Medicated Enema):
- Anuvasana Basti with Taila
- Niruha Basti (Tiktasheer Basti)
Causes :
- Dhatukshaya, especially Asthi Dhatu due to:
- Poor nutrition or digestion
- Aging (natural degeneration)
- Chronic Vata disorders
- Excessive physical or mental stress
*Medicines-
- Ashtipurak Vati
- Shulomi Plus
- Ashtimajjapachak vati
- Tapyadiloh
- Bruhan kalpa
- Dasharasnadi Kashay
- Suvarana Kalapa
5. Gridhrasi (Sciatica)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Ruka (pain) radiating from hip to toes
- Toda (pricking pain)
- Stambha (stiffness)
- Spandana (twitching) along the leg
- Pain may increase with walking or sitting
- *Panchakarma Treatment -Snehana:
- Local Abhyanga with Sahacharadi Taila, Mahanarayana Taila
- Swedana:
- Nadi Sweda (steam tube) for muscle relaxation
- Pinda Sweda with herbal boluses
- Kati Basti:
- Retaining warm oil on lumbar spine for 30–45 min
- Basti:
- Kashaya and Anuvasana Basti usingTaila
- Nasya:
- Nasal drops with medicated ghrut or oil
- Shirodhara (if associated with anxiety):
- Medicated oil poured gently on forehead
Causes :
- Vata dosha pressing on sciatic nerve pathway
- Trauma or heavy lifting
- Improper posture, long sitting
- Constipation aggravating Apana Vata
*Medicines-
- Bruhatvatchintamani
- Tab.Shulomi plus
- Kanchanar Guggul
- Mahayograj Guggul
- Vataghna drops
6. Kati Graha (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
Signs and Symptoms:
- Kati shola (pain in lower back)
- Toda (radiating pain)
- Stambha (stiffness in back)
- Sankocha (spasm or contracture)
- Pain worsens with movement or cold exposure~ *Panchakarma Treatments:
- Snehana:
- Massage with Taila
- Kati Basti:
- Retention of warm medicated oil on lower back for 30–45 mins
- Swedana:
- Tap Sweda or Nadi Sweda for muscular stiffness
- Pinda Sweda:
- Nourishing herbal boluses (rice + milk or leaves + oil) to relieve pain
- Basti:
- Niruha Basti
- Anuvasana Basti with Taila
Causes :
- Vata vitiation due to:
- Long hours of sitting or standing
- Cold weather, lack of exercise
- Physical overexertion or injury
- Constipation (Apana Vata obstruction)
*Medicines-
- Shulomi plus
- Mahayograj Guggul
- Kanchanar Guggul
- Bruhatvatchintamani
