Successful Management of Charcot Foot Ulcer Through Selected Siddha Regimen – A Case Report

Charcot’s foot is primarily associated with various forms of peripheral neuropathy, with diabetic neuropathy being the most prevalent cause. This deformity mainly affects the midfoot, often resulting in a rocker-bottom shape, which significantly increases the risk of ulceration. In patients with Charcot foot, reported ulceration rates over a 4 to 9-year follow-up period range from 49% to 65%. The literature reflects a variable prevalence of Charcot’s arthropathy, estimates to be between 0.08% and thirteen percentage. In the Sidda medicine, the World Health Organization’s International Standard Siddha Terminologies identifies Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy as correlated with "Vali Nhoi." Non-healing chronic ulcers are referred to as "Āṟāppuṇ," which may also be known as "pōkā viraṇam," "paṇṭai viraṇam," or "aẕiyāta viraṇam.". A 72-year-old female patient presented to the Siddha Clinical Research Unit in New Delhi with complaints of a non-healing ulcer in the medial compartment of her left foot, closer left ankle joint. Her symptoms included itching, hyperpigmentation, mild pus discharge, pain, and swelling in the left foot region, which made walking difficult over the past five months. The patient had been diagnosed with Charcot’s foot at age 53. Significant healing of the chronic Charcot ulcer was observed following treatment with Siddha medications, including a combination of Siddha Sastric Cūraṇam (Parankipaṭṭai Curaṇam, Palakarai parpam, and Caṅku paṟpam), Gandhaga Iracayaṉam for internal use, and Tiripalā Cūraṇam for external washing, along with Mattaṉ tailam for external application. After six months of follow-up, no recurrence of the ulcer was noted. This case report highlights the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Siddha medicines in treating chronic non-healing Charcot’s ulcers.