ABSTRACT

Introduction Osteoarthritis(OA),is the most common musculoskeletal condition seen in elderly patients above 60 years. The study reveals that 10% of the global Geriatric population is suffering from Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a major cause of mobility impairment, Clinical and functional changes caused by Osteoarthritis (OA) influences the quality of life (QL) of elderly people resulting in reduced independence in older adults.Osteoarthritis is more common in women than men, 45% of women over the age of 65 years have symptoms while radiological evidence is found in 70% of those over 65years. In this case report Leech therapy which is practiced in Ayurveda since many years and suitable for elderly female patient is administered as co- therapy along with physio therapy. Leech therapy is beneficial in reduction of pain, tenderness, stiffness, and swelling, also enhances the quality of life, in elderly female patient of Knee Osteoarthritis. Case Presentation I Report two cases of elderly women suffering from knee Osteoarthritis visited OPD of Khemdas Ayurved Hospital, of Parul Institute of Ayurved and Research, Ishwarpura Vadodara, Gujarat. Patient number 1 was a 65year old elderly woman came with 3-year history of progressively worsening pain in both knees.Patient number 2 was a 67year old elderly woman came with 5- year history of progressively worsening pain in both knees. Both showed all the clinical presentation of knee Osteoarthritis, not undergone any previous knee surgery. This resulted in restricted mobility and affected her daily routine Patient number 1 was Intervened with Physiotherapy treatment.Patient number 2 was intervened with Leech therapy as co-therapy along with physiotherapy. Conclusion: The rate of improvement was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, shown significant results in the patient who has taken leech therapy as co therapy along with physiotherapy as compared to the patient who has taken physiotherapy alone. There was considerable improvement in reduction of pain, stiffness, also improvement in the mobility. This study aims in bringing quality of life in elderly knee Osteoarthritis patients visiting at Khemdas Ayurved Hospital at Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India Keywords: Leech therapy, Knee Osteoarthritis, Physio therapy, Geriatric
Publication date: 25/01/2022

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2022/11.1.2042