Age: 31
Gender: Female
Complaint:
- Pain, edema, weakness over the right forearm
- previously been involved in RTA in March 2023
- restricted movements of arm including elbow, wrist and fingers
The patient was on Puttur bandage, but she removed the bandage within 4 weeks and by her complaints and the results of her prior X-rays diagnosed as nonunion of the right ulnar. She was taking medication, and when she approached an allopathic hospital, they recommended surgical reduction, but the patient was unwilling. For better care, she came to our hospital. Physical examination revealed difficulty in downward and upward movement of forearm and the power was 1/5. Pain, edema, local tenderness and stiffness over forearm and fingers were observed at the initiation of the Ayurvedic treatment.
Integrated Summary:
In Ayurveda we advised her for Sastra Karma (Surgical intervention), but the patient was unwilling. So, we treated her with Samana Chikitsa (Internal medications) and Bahya Chikitsa (External therapy). The complaints presented by the patient together with the interpretation of anteroposterior and lateral views of the X-ray right forearm, were diagnosed as ulnar shaft fracture
Ayurvedic examination:
| Prakruti | Kaphapitta |
| Vikruthi | Vatakapha |
| Sara | Madhyama |
| Samhana | Madhyama |
| Pramana | Muscle wasting is seen |
| Satmya | Sarva rasa satmya |
| Satva | Madhyama |
| Aahara Sakthi | Pravara |
| Vyayama Sakthi | Avara |
| Vaya | Madhyama |
Treatments given:
Internal Medications:
| 1-14 days | 14-28 days |
| Lakshadi guggulu (1 – 0 – 1) | Lakshadi guggulu |
| Gandarva hastadi eranda tailam | Dasamoola kashayam |
| Gandha tailam |
External Therapy:
| 1-14 days | 14-28 days | 28-42 days |
| Murivenna – Pichu | Murivenna – Pichu | Murivenna pariseka |
| Annalepam |
Treatment Timeline:
| May 2023 | History of fall |
| June 2023 | Diagnosed with fracture |
| June 2023 | Treatment |
| Aug 2023 | Symptoms |
| Aug 2023 | Xray |
| Aug 2023 | INTERNAL MEDICINES (1-14 days) EXERNAL THERAPY (1-14 days) |
| Sep 2023 | Observation Follow up after 14 days. Pain reduced. Swelling reduced Mobility partially improved 25% Internal medications (14-28 days) External therapy (14-28 days) |
| Oct 2023 | Observation After 28 days x-ray showed evident callus formation. (Figure 2) Pain 90% reduced. Swelling 80% reduced Weakness persists. |
| Nov 2023 | Admitted in IP ward for 2 weeks (28- 42 days) |
| Dec 2023 | Patient came for follow up X-ray showed complete callus formation. (Figure 3) |
Follow up and outcomes:
Before intervention
Callous Formation
After Intervention
Conclusion:
Fractures typically heal without any issues. Even with optimal surgical and nonsurgical care, some fractures do not heal. Certain risk factors can sometimes increase the likelihood that the bone won’t heal. The non-union of fractures has been observed as one of the common complications nowadays. Without undergoing any surgery, the patient’s quality of life and motor function considerably improved. In this case study, the patient’s discomfort, range of motion, and strength all significantly improved within 15 days of treatment. Two months later, the patient experienced nearly total pain relief and was able to carry out daily tasks involving the right arm. The X-ray revealed that the fracture had healed completely and was united.
