Integrative management of diabetic foot ulcers - A case series

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and a cause of significant morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditure. Treatment of DFU includes multimodal approach like surgical debridement, infection control, vascular assessment, dressing etc. Multidisciplinary approach towards foot care is becoming a mainstay of therapy, and even with this comprehensive approach, there is still room for improvement in DFU outcomes. Integrative management includes the adoption of various systems of treatment with standard treatment for better outcomes. In the present case series, six cases of DFU were managed with the integration of Ayurveda and allopathic treatments. The cases were managed according to the standard diabetic foot ulcer management principles like surgical debridement, insulin therapy, along with incorporation of Ayurveda procedures like Vimlapana, Prakshalana, Bandhana etc. Standard assessment of ulcers at different time points was done using the Bates- Jensen Ulcer assessment tool. All the six DFU healed with minimal scar formation and in less time, lowering the risk of further amputation. Promising results were obtained in all six cases by adopting integrated Ayurveda and allopathic treatments, which indicates the potential benefits of alternative systems of medicine.

Keywords: Bates- jensen ulcer assessment tool; Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU); Integrative management; Vrana Ropana; Vrana Shodhana.