Medical Leech Therapy (Hirudotherapy)

Medical leech therapy (Hirudotherapy)

1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany, 2Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitative Medicine, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany, 3Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Pain Management, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden...

Controversy: hirudotherapy (leech therapy) as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease found in the elderly. Drug options that are recommended by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon (AAOS) are acetaminophen, NSAIDs, tramadol, capscaicin and intraarticular corticosteroids. However, there is concern for the possible side effects resulting from long term use of those medications. Researchers are searching for ...

Hirudotherapy /Leech therapy: Applications and Indications in Surgery

Hirudotherapy (HT) is the application of medicinal leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) for therapeutic use. It is one of the oldest remedies, being employed by various medicinal practitioners. HT involves the attachment of cultured leeches onto the affected areas. Leech therapy involves an initial bite, which is usually a painless bite, followed by the sucking of 5 and 15 ml of blood. Its major therap...

Complications of leech therapy

Objective: The principle of the use of leeches is associated with traditional medicine of many countries and its application has different philosophies for use in different areas of the body. Leeches, with all the benefits, can have dangers. Materials and Methods: A review of complications of leech therapy was done based on English articles indexed in the...

Bio-Surgery: Medicinal Leech Therapy and Medical Maggots