Retrospective case management of Thunmamisa kaddi (soft tissue lesion) of the foot using Siddha herbo-mineral regimens

Vadivampikan V.1*, Mathivathanan R.S.1 and Soruban T.2

Abstract

Soft tissue lesions, encompassing both benign and malignant neoplasms, may arise from fibrous connective tissue, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, or vascular structures. In the Siddha system of medicine, such conditions may be correlated with "Thunmamisa kaddi" as per the Tamil-English dictionary. This case reports on a 9-year-old female admitted to the Inpatient Division, Siddha Teaching Hospital, Kaithady, with a soft tissue lesion on the dorsum of the left foot, located between the 4^th and 5^th metatarsal bones. The lesion was hard, fixed, and tender, measuring 31.2 × 19.9 mm, and had caused difficulty in walking for the past one and half year. The patient underwent a combined internal and external Siddha treatment protocol for four weeks. Internal medicines included Kazharchi chooranam, Parangipattai chooranam, Ganthaga rasayanam, and Serankottai nei. Externally, after cleansing with saline water, an Uppu seelai (salt-soaked gauze) was applied for two hours daily, followed by Kazharchi pattru for three weeks and a herbo-mineral Pattru in the final week. Progress was evaluated using the Soft Tissue Tenderness Grading Scheme (STTGS) and digital Vernier scale measurements. The lesion size reduced significantly to 15.5 × 12.3 mm, and the STTGS improved from 4 to 1. Pain subsided, and mobility improved markedly. The treatment was noninvasive, safe, and well-tolerated, with high patient satisfaction and no adverse effects. This case underscores the potential of Siddha therapies in managing soft tissue lesions, encouraging further scientific validation in larger populations.