Role of Agnikarma along with Ayurveda medication in management of trigger thumb - A Case Report.

Trigger thumb is a condition caused by incongruity in diameter between the swollen flexor tendon and its sheath at the metacarpal head, often due to thickening of the A1 pulley. This results in a clicking or popping sensation during thumb extension. Treatment options include splinting, physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgical release of the A1 pulley. In Ayurveda, trigger thumb can be attributed to Snayugata Vata (vitiated Vata dosha in tendons/ligaments). Agnikarma is an Ayurvedic procedure, effective for treating Snayugata Vata and other joint disorders. A 56-year-old male patient, working in a printing press, presented with pain and swelling in his right thumb at National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) hospital. On the basis of clinical examination, the patient was diagnosed with right trigger thumb. The patient underwent three sittings of Bindu-type Agnikarma therapy, using Tamra Shalaka, at site of maximum tenderness, at interval of seven days. Following treatment, the patient experienced complete resolution of symptoms with follow-up of five months. Agnikarma provided a successful, minimally invasive, and cost-effective alternative to surgical intervention, demonstrating its potential as an effective remedy for trigger thumb. This case study provides a lead to establish a new standardized treatment protocol and assess long term benefits of Agnikarma for trigger thumb.