Abstract

Background: Heel pain can be really frustrating, especially when it hits you first thing in the morning. One common cause of this pain is a calcaneal spur, which is a bony growth that forms on the heel bone due to calcium buildup and mechanical stress. In some traditional medical practices, like Ayurveda, this condition is compared to a disease called Vatakantaka, which is thought to be caused by an imbalance of certain energies in the body. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of cautery (Agnikarma) using a specialised, heated clay rod (Mruttika Shalaka) in the management of Calcaneal Spur (Vatkantaka) without oral medication. Case Details: A 26-year-old woman had been experiencing pain in her left heel for eight months. The pain got worse when she was active and didn't improve with pain relievers. An X-ray confirmed that she had a calcaneal spur and her treatment was planned based on Ayurveda principles. A technique called Agnikarma with Mruttika Shalaka was used for three sessions, along with dot-like cauterisations (Bindu Dahana) at the most sensitive spots. To reduce any burning sensation, aloe vera pulp was applied to the area. Results: were encouraging - the patient's pain started to decrease after one session, and by the third session, she was completely pain-free. She could walk normally again without any symptoms, and there were no complications. Even after eight days, her symptoms hadn’t returned. Conclusion: Agnikarma with Mruttika Shalaka provided rapid and sustained relief in pain and walking difficulty without any adverse effects. This case suggests that Agnikarma may serve as a safe, minimally invasive, drug-free treatment option for managing calcaneal spur (Vatkantaka).

Key words: Agnikarma, Ayurveda, Calcaneal Spur, Case Report, Heel Pain, Mruttika Shalaka, Musculoskeletal Disorder, Vatakantaka