Efficacy of Balāsahacharādi Kashāya with Dashāngalēpaya in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Controlled Clinical Study

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative joint disorders affecting the elderly population and is characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. In Ayurveda, this condition is correlated with Janu Sandhigata Vāta, which arises due to the aggravation of Vāta dōsha leading to degeneration of joint structures. Ayurvedic management emphasizes reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and improving joint function through internal and external therapeutic formulations. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of two Ayurvedic treatment protocols in the management of knee osteoarthritis. A comparative clinical study was carried out among patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis at the Rural Ayurveda Hospital, Kesbewa, Sri Lanka. Participants were divided into two groups receiving different treatment protocols for a period of two weeks. Clinical features such as pain, tenderness, crepitus, oedema, and range of motion of the knee joint were assessed before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. Both treatment protocols showed improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. However, the treatment protocol consisting of Balāsahacharādi Kashāya with Dashāngalēpaya demonstrated comparatively greater improvement in pain reduction and range of motion. The findings suggest that Ayurvedic treatment protocols can effectively reduce clinical manifestations of knee osteoarthritis and improve functional mobility. The study highlights the clinical significance of traditional Ayurvedic formulations in the management of degenerative joint disorders.