Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is a condition occurring mostly in first-born male children in the age group of 4 to 8 years. In this condition, the ball-shaped head of the thigh bone loses its blood supply, gradually collapses, and then undergoes a process of reformation and reshaping over a period of several years. This condition presents with pain in the hip, which is aggravated by activity and alleviated by taking rest.

The Ayurvedic treatment of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is aimed at controlling pain, restoring normal structure of the hip joint and preventing long-term deformity. Medicines like Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Laxadi-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu, Shrung-Bhasma, Praval-Panchamrut, Shankh-Bhasma, Praval-Bhasma, Asthishrunkhala (Cissus quadrangularis), Laxa (Purified wax), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) are used to remold the hip bone. Medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Yograj-Guggulu, Maha-Rasnadi-Guggulu, Vat-Gajankush-Ras, Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras, Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) are used to treat pain and inflammation in the hip joint.

The loss of blood supply to the head of the thigh bone is the main cause of tissue destruction in the bone. This can be corrected using medicines like Mahamanjishthadi-Ghan-Vati, Saarivasav, Tapyadi-Loh, Kaishor-Guggulu, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta and Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa). Some patients benefit from the use of medicated enemas of Maha-Sahachar oil and Ksheer-Bala oil. Local application on the affected hip joint using medicines like Vishgarbha oil, Mahanarayan oil and Mahamash oil are also quite effective in reducing pain and stiffness. This is followed by localized steam fomentation using medicines like Dashmool-Qadha and Nirgundi-Qadha.

The affected child's age and the degree of damage to the hip joint are important factors in determining the outcome of this condition. Early diagnosis and accurate management of this condition are very important in preventing permanent damage to the joint and future disability. A judicious combination of rest, plaster-casting, physiotherapy and medications is required to prevent hip deformity. All such patients should be under the regular care and supervision of an orthopedic surgeon.