Abstract

LEECH THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS-A REVIEW

Amjad Waheed Yousuf, Prof. Mohammad Akhtar Siddiqui*, Umar Jahangir, Aasiy U. L. Erum

Abstract

Leech therapy is a frequently used treatment modality in traditional system of medicine including Unani medicine and involves application of medicinally viable leech species either alone or in combination with pharmacological agents. It has been used for the management of various rheumatological disorders including knee Osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA, a degenerative arthritis of the knee joint, is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, crepitus, varying degrees of functional limitation and reduced quality of life. The objectives of treatment of Knee OA are reduction of pain and stiffness, maintenance of function, retarding the disease progression and improvement in the quality of life. A number of studies have been carried out to evaluate the efficacy of leeching in the management of knee OA. In this review we systematically present the observations and results of these studies.

Keywords: Rheumatology, Unani, Degenerative, Pain, Enzymes.