The following case study concerns a patient treated by Dr. Pallav Prajapati (BMAS, CAD, CCYP (BHU)), a NeuroPanchkarma and Marma Expert. He is the founder of Chetanya Ayurveda and served as the National President of the Student Committee of the Ayurveda Federation of India. He has been honored with the U.P. Gaurav Samman (2023), Vagbhata Award (2023), Ace of Initiative Award (2023), Rashtriya Ayush Gaurav Samman (2022), and the Youth Vaidya Rising Award (2021), for his contributions to Ayurvedic Medicine.
Abstract
Asthimajjagata Vata or Avascular Necrosis (AVN) is a degenerative bone condition with a temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bones. As a result, the bone tissue dies, and the bone collapses. While this condition can happen in any bone, it most commonly occurs at the ends of a long bone.
The most common sites for AVN are the knee talus, femoral head, hip, and humeral head. AVN can affect one or many bones at a time or different bones at different times. As the disease progresses, it can cause intense and/or persistent pain, weakening and loss of energy, and even destroy a joint beyond repair.
As per recent statistics, over 81% of AVN patients progress to total failure of the affected bone/joint and require arthroplasty (surgeries to restore joint function). Nearly 10,000 to 20,000 AVN cases are registered annually in the United States alone.
Ayurveda classifies such conditions as Vata doshas, i.e., caused by an imbalance of the air and ether energies in the system. Conventional medications and treatment procedures have severe side effects and often end up requiring surgical intervention or even bone replacement.
The science of Ayurveda emphasizes restoring the body’s function naturally and comprehensively. Ayurvedic health experts increasingly prescribe potent herbal concoctions, including the classic Trailokya Vijaya Vati, to help patients improve bone health and relieve their condition.
Case Description: Patient Details and Chief Complaints
The patient, a 24-year-old male, complained of continuous radiating pain from the back to the toe, stiffness in the back, and being unable to walk, sit, or do daily chores for over three years. In addition, he suffered from redness and itching issues in the whole body for nearly five years.
The patient’s condition was severe and chronic. He had been on allopathic treatment for five years, with the prescribed drugs being Zerodol MR, Delacorte 6mg, Multivitamin, and Pan-DSR. They led to no improvements and only gave temporary symptomatic relief from pain, which would recur after the medication ended.
As a cricket trainee, the patient has a healthy lifestyle routine of daily exercise and running. He had no history of falls/accidents and addictions (alcohol consumption, smoking, etc.) As per past medical treatments, he was diagnosed with Grade 2 Sacroiliitis and early symptoms of AVN.
Upon conducting a physical examination, it was found that the patient could not walk, sit, and stand for a long time and also experienced difficulty raising his legs, in the supine position, by 10 degrees.
Diagnosis
The examination revealed that the patient suffered from Asthimajjagata Vat, or Avascular Necrosis (AVN). It is also known as osteonecrosis. Most people don’t show any symptoms in the early stages of this condition. As it worsens, the joints hurt only when putting weight on them. Eventually, the patients might feel pain even at rest.
In severe cases, it can lead to tiny cracks in the bone and cause the bone to collapse. The following factors can cause AVN:
- An injury, such as a dislocated joint or a broken bone, can damage the nearby blood vessels and, thus, stop the blood flow to a particular section of the bone.
- Long-term use of high-dose steroid drugs
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Side effects of prescription drugs like bisphosphonates, antibiotics, strong painkillers, etc.
- Cancer treatments (radiation therapy) can weaken the bones and harm the surrounding blood vessels.
- Organ transplants
- Fat deposits (lipids) can block the small blood vessels from reaching the bones.
- Conditions like sickle cell anemia, autoimmune diseases, HIV/AIDS, pancreatitis, leukemia, Gaucher’s disease, etc., can also reduce the blood flow to the bone.
The persistent chronic pain leads to a hampered range of motion, wasting of muscles, laxity of joints, and sleep issues. It can even worsen the symptoms of existing conditions such as arthritis.
From the Ayurvedic perspective, aggravation of the Vata dosha can cause the Asthi dhatu (bone tissue) to get impaired and lose its functions. Asthi gives the body shape, structure, and stability, maintains posture, and supports/protects the vital organs. An imbalanced Vata leads to Asthi Kshaya (bone tissue decrement), which can develop into conditions like AVN.
Prescribed Treatment
The treatment focused on reducing pain, improving bone and joint function, and preventing further bone damage. The patient was prescribed the following medications:
- Trailokya Vijaya Vati – 2 tablets twice a day
- Panchtikita ghrit Guggul – 2 tablets twice a day
- KsheerBala Avarti 101 – 2 capsules twice a day
- Ras Raj Ras – 1 tablet twice a day
- Mahavat Vidhwanshak Ras – 2 tablets twice a day
- Asthipostak Vati – 2 tablets twice a day
- Churan Arjun – 3gms twice a day with lukewarm water
- Satveer Rasayan – 3gms twice a day with milk
- Local application of Arjun Churn Lepan blend with Mahavishgarbh Oil
In addition to these Ayurvedic formulations, the following therapies were prescribed:
- Cupping therapy (both wet and dry)
- Snehan and Nadi Swedan
- Agnikarma
The treatment duration was 45 days. It was expected that the patient would start showing relief from pain and stiffness after five to six days of the treatment and restart his restricted movement. No side effects were expected.
Outcomes
After six days, the patient showed significant signs of pain relief and reduced stiffness. From the 12th day, his symptoms were reduced by over 90%, and his movement became freer. Within 20 days, he became completely symptom-free. No side effects were seen. In fact, the patient experienced an additional benefit. His skin issues were resolved after the course of medications and treatments.
Current Status
Now, the patient is completely recovered and healthy. He said he is “now in a very good stage and can freely sit, stand, walk, and run. Along the course of the treatment, slowly, his medicines were reduced as well.” He further went on to say, “I did not get much relief from conventional drugs, and hence, switched to Ayurveda. The doctors gave me an expected time of 45 days to become symptom-free. But I got well in 20 days.”
Now, he can easily conduct daily chores and play cricket. Sometimes, heavy work causes mild pain, which is self-cured after a simple oil massage and some rest. After the end of the prescribed course of medication, the patient was directed to consume the following medicines for the next two months:
- Satveer Rasayan -3gms twice a day with milk
- Asthipostak Vati- 1 tablet twice a day
- Trailokya Vijaya Vati – 1 tablet once a day
This was to ensure comprehensive well-being and improved overall bodily function.
What Makes the Treatment Successful?
The ancient science of Ayurveda focuses on natural and holistic healing principles. It offers several potent herbal formulations and therapies that effectively correct circulatory problems related to AVN, along with certain dietary and lifestyle modifications.
All these come together to aid the healthy functioning of the tissues near the joints affected by AVN and accelerate the patients’ recovery without showing any side effects. The revered herb Vijaya in formulations like the Trailokya Vijaya Vati plays a vital role in alleviating conditions like AVN.
A recent US study showed that this powerful herb can relax artery walls, lower blood pressure, and increase blood flow to the tissues because the herb’s organic secretions (THC and CBD) bind with the cannabinoid receptors in the arterial tissues. Thus, they regulate the function of the blood vessels and ensure balance in the cardiovascular system.
A 2023 research demonstrated that CBD in Vijaya can promote bone fracture healing and alleviate pain. It accelerates the process by which the body absorbs the necessary minerals to strengthen the bone, thus leading to higher bone volume fraction and mineral density than conventional drugs.
The high safety profile and tolerability of Vijaya and its derived concoctions over standard drugs (analgesics, steroids, NSAIDs, opioids, etc.) make it more appealing for modern medical practitioners to prescribe to patients.
Contact Hempstreet to discover more about the immense therapeutic potential of the revered Ayurvedic herb and how you can leverage formulations like Trailokya Vijaya Vati to enhance your health and well-being.
References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/avascular-necrosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369859
