Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment in an 85-year-old Female Patient based on Iranian Traditional Medicine in Tehran in 2016

Background: Venous ulcers are a major problem for patients with chronic venous disease (CVD) such as varicose veins. Its treatment is very complex and requires great care, such that inappropriate responses to various medical and surgical treatment could change this condition. This report aims to provide clinical experiences of Iranian traditional medicine that has been the most effective treatment in the shortest period of time. Case Presentation: Patient is an 85-year-old female with a known history of lower limb varicose for more than twenty five years and hyperlipidaemia, ischemic heart disease (IHD), headache, and fatty liver. She presented complains from severely infected venous ulcer of the right leg, inflamed with damaged skin, which is associated with weakness and fatigue. Patient has been hospitalized and undergone surgery as a result of femoral fractures caused by osteoporosis in right leg in 2015. Venous leg ulcers were observed two weeks prior to the visit. Leg amputation has been suggested for the treatment of foot ulcer by the respective specialist advice, but modern medicine has not started due to lack of patient's satisfaction. Patient has referred to the Ahmadiyyeh Health Center for treatment guided by an acquaintance. Patient has had two ulcers on the right foot with a diameter of 15 cm× 7cm and 2×2cm. Due to clinical examination by traditional medicine doctors and based on Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification criteria for venous ulcer classification system, they were classified to be equivalent to basic CEAP: C6, S, Ep, a, Pn, respectively. Patient has been treated using health and nutritional measures of traditional medicine after visiting the clinic. Pharmaceutical measures for this case included medicinal herbs, and combinational drugs owing to the nature and condition of the illness. Manual therapies include massage therapy and leech therapy applied around the wound once in a day. After 60 days of treatment, patient's ulcer, physical and mental state had completely improved. Conclusion: Considering the recovery process of patient with the approach of physical force and mental state and a significant improvement in wound, it seems that traditional medicine can pave the way for the treatment of many common diseases while informed assessment of different diseases based on the teachings of traditional medicine seems necessary.