Abstract
Background A rising incidence of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in India has escalated the rate
of lower limb amputations in the country. The present study aims to evaluate the potential
healing properties of homeopathic medicines as a part of the integrative management
of DFUs through two evidence-based case reports.
Methods Two patients with DFUs, identified as Wagner grade 2, having had diabetes for 12
years, were treated with individualized homeopathic medicine within a multi-disciplinary
approach. Both cases were on oral hypoglycemic agents for managing blood sugar, continued
their diabetic medication, and were advised to use regular wound dressings. The DFUs
were assessed using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score at baseline
and every 4 weeks until complete wound healing. Neuropathic changes were evaluated
by the 10g monofilament tactile test, and the Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homeopathy—Causal
Attribution Inventory (MONARCH) tool was used to assess the likelihood of there being
a causal relationship between clinical improvement and the homeopathic intervention.
Results The DFUs showed healing within 12 weeks, with a significant improvement in the PUSH
score, though there was no change in tactile sensation as assessed by the monofilament
test. The MONARCH tool yielded +9 in both cases, indicating the likelihood of a causal
relationship between the clinical outcome and homeopathic intervention. The homeopathic
medicines Arsenicum album and Lachesis respectively were found useful by each patient.
Conclusion Homeopathy appeared beneficial in facilitating the early healing of DFUs within a
multi-disciplinary integrative approach.
Keywords
Arsenicum album
-
Lachesis
- Homeopathy - Diabetic foot ulcer - Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing
