Introduction: Trophic ulcers in Leprosy patients is the major cause of disability. Ulcer Management by Modern Western Medicine has remained far from effective.

Aim: To examine the effect of Ayurvedic treatment on healing of trophic ulcers vis a vis conventional treatment.

Methodology: A non randomized comparative clinical trial on trophic ulcers in leprosy was undertaken. There were 31 study subjects selected from Dr. Bandorawalla Leprosy Hospital, Kondhwa and there were 31 subjects from two leprosy homes as control group. Criteria of selection of the patient was the age of planter ulcer was > 1 year. The study subjects were given Ayurvedic treatment and the control subjects were treated by conventional line of treatment. The area of ulcer of study group was 5.5 times more than the size of control group subjects.

Results: There was 76.84% improvement was noted in study group while in control group there was 43.24% improvement noted and further the average size of ulcer increased by 1.52%. In study group 89.47% ulcers showed more than 50% improvement as 34/38 ulcer showed the improvement, χ²= 16.00, p<0.001 Statistically Highly significant.

Conclusion: The study proved that the Ayurvedic treatment may be a better alternative for treating trophic ulcers in Leprosy.

Keywords: Trophic ulcers in Leprosy, Ulcer management in Leprosy, Mahakushta, Ayurvedic management of Dushtavrana.

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Dr. Sarita Pradip Gaikwad M.D. (Manas rog), PhD (Kayachikitsa)

Director, Punarnava Trimarma Chikitsalay and Research Centre, Nanded-431 602 (India)

Ex HoD Ayurved Research Department, Sassoon Hospital, Pune-411 001 and  

Vol. Retd. Assistant Director, AYUSH, Pune region, Pune