Over the last 2 months, I had 2 cases, coming to the OPD with 'Alternative Outcome'. The first patient, an elderly lady with controlled IDDM had consulted an orthopaedic surgeon for her severe knee osteoarthritis who advised her a knee replacement as is standard. However, the lady consulted an 'Alternative' medicine man, who assured her of permanent relief with 'herbal pack' applied around the knee which had to kept for 5 days wrapped in a bandage. At the end of the 3rd day, there was a severe burning locally, at the knee area. She had consulted again the 'Alternative' medicine man, who assured that 'path' was being healed and all was right.
On 4th day and she could no longer endure the pain. She removed the bandage and the pack and came to the OPD. To my utter dismay, the whole skin over the knee had undergone necrosis and a large rim of the area which was gangrenous. She was…
