Osteo arthritis is the most common joint disease of humans. Among elderly, knee joint OA is the leading cause of chronic disability in developed countries. Radiographic evidence of knee OA,is more common in women than in men^1. Osteoarthritis has symptoms like Pain, Functional restriction, Joint line tenderness, Muscle wasting, mild synovitis(warmth and effusion) and Morning stiffness². The risk factors for OA includes old age, female sex, race, genetic factors, major joint trauma, repetitive stress, obesity, congenital/developmental defects, prior inflammatory joint disease and metabolic/endocrine disorders ³. Prevalence of OA in India is reported to be in the range of 17 to 60.6% ⁴ . Due to the increased prevalence of this disorder it has become a major problem and burden over the society, indirectly reduces the working capacity of a citizen.

Now-a-days, even in the adult age itself man is suffering from the degenerative changes because of the changing lifestyle and food habits. The symptoms of OA is identical to the Sandhigata vata which is of degenerative and chronic rheumatic disease in nature explained by Ayurveda. This disease is known for pain & swelling in the joints giving rise to the restricted movements and disability that hampers the normal mobility which is one of the cardinal function of Vata dosha. The disease exhibits end of variety of patterns of joint failure together or lesser extent which is always characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage. It affects women than men, mainly after menopause, due to the hormonal variations.

Sandhigata vata is a type of vata vyadhi described in all classics of Ayurveda. Charaka was first to describe separately “Sandhigate-anilae” where Susrutha , Yogaratnakara, Madhava & Bhavaprakasha has described the disease as “Sandhigatavata” . The provoked Vata affects the Sandhi , which resembles a bag filled with air. Vata purna driti sparsha,Sotha,Vedana on prasarana and Akunchana are told to be the symptoms by charaka⁵. Being the disease of madhyama roga marga [since sandhi comes under madhyama roga marga]⁶ and since it is a dhatukshaya janya vyadhi ⁷ ,the disease becomes kashtasadhya.

The medical management now available have many limitations and cannot satisfy the objectives of an ideal therapy. Many research studies have been done but most of them have methodological limitations ,and are experimental, focusing on single herbs/ formulations, or single therapies. Full line of treatment protocol are not yet done but which is a necessity to found out , since vata is bali and ashukari, single drug or single kriya krama will be insufficient . At present era, since this degenerative disease is more prevalent, which is a cause leading to disability, there is an urgent need for an effective , safe and less complicated treatment.