Ayurvedic Surgical Management of Plantar Keratoderma

Abstract

Plantar Keratoderma, a common clinical entity in podiatric department is considered to be a pre-cancerous condition. The condition is best managed by employing guidelines directed in Ayurvedic treatises. Sushruta opines to debride the unhealthy tissue and improve the local conditions by employing Rakta shodhana and Doshaghna modalities. Surgical debridement supplemented with topical application of Kshara advances the healing rate and also improves the local pathology. Surgical and chemical debridement by using Tankana kshara was done. Internally Rakta shodhaka and Vatakaphaghna dravyas were administered. Manjishtadi Ghana vati 1 tab TID, Gandhaka Rasayana 2 tab TID and Triphala Guggulu 2 TID after food were the medicines administered. Abnormal thickened skin was removed and pathological events at the site were corrected with the help of Tankana kshara by its action of autolytic, chemical debridement, wound cleansing and healing properties. Complete normal epithelialisation was achieved. The Plantar Keratoderma is a condition equivalent to Vatakaphaja variety of Kushta and is managed with surgical excision of the unhealthy tissue, and topical application of Tankana kshara.