Diabetic foot ulcer with osteomyelitis, successfully treated with the holistic approach of multiple ayurvedic treatment modalities - A case report

INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) with osteomyelitis is the devastating condition, which is a challenge to surgeons in saving the limb of the patient and in many circumstances ends up with amputation, which leaves physical and psychosocial trauma for both the patient and patient's family. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 48-year-old female patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes presented with swelling and gangrenous deep circular ulcer of size approx. 3 × 4 cm on plantar aspect of great toe of her left foot with involvement of first webspace from last three months. Plain X ray showed disrupted and necrotic proximal phalanx suggestive of diabetic foot ulcer with osteomyelitis. Despite using antibiotics and antidiabetic drugs for past three months she didn't get significant response and was suggested for toe amputaion. Hence, she approached our hospital for further treatment. We successfully treated the patient with the holistic approach of surgical debridement, medicinal leech therapy (MLT), irrigation of the wound with triphala decoction, jatyadi tail dressings, oral ayurvedic antidiabetic drugs to control blood sugar levels and a mixture of herbo mineral drug which is having antimicrobial property. DISCUSSION: DFU may lead to infection, gangrene, amputation, death of the patient. Hence it is the need of the hour to look for limb salvage treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: The holistic approach of these ayurvedic treatment modalities are effective and safe in treating DFUs with osteomyelitis and in preventing amputation.