Abstract

PARA-SURGICAL RESOLUTION OF VATAKANTAKA (PLANTAR FASCIITIS) UTILIZING MRUTIKA SHALAKA AGNIKARMA: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Vatakantaka, commonly correlated with plantar fasciitis in modern medicine, is a painful heel disorder described in Ayurveda as a manifestation of aggravated Vata Dosha localized in the Parshni (heel) region. It significantly impairs mobility and daily functioning. Agnikarma, a classical para-surgical procedure involving controlled thermal cauterization, has been traditionally indicated in Vata-dominant disorders. This case reports a 59-year-old male with a two-year history of right-sided heel pain, particularly severe during the first steps in the morning and on weight-bearing, with radiological evidence of a calcaneal spur. The patient was treated with seven sessions of Agnikarma using a Mrutika Shalaka (earthen probe) on alternate days, with pain and function assessed through standardized measures. A steady and marked reduction in pain was observed across sessions, reflected in improved Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and symptom grading, without any adverse effects. By the end of therapy, the patient regained near-normal walking ability and daily function. This case suggests that Agnikarma with Mrutika Shalaka is a safe, minimally invasive, and effective approach for managing Vatakantaka, warranting further evaluation in larger clinical studies.

Keywords: Vatakantaka; Plantar Fasciitis; Agnikarma; Mrutika Shalaka; Shalya Tantra; Vatavyadhi; Calcaneal Spur; Heel Pain; Para-surgical Ayurveda; VAS.