EFFECT OF ADJUVANT AYURVEDIC TREATMENT IN CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF PARAPLEGIA DUE TO TUBERCULOSIS OF SPINE: A Case Study

Spinal tuberculosis is often associated with neurological deficit as severe as quadriplegia or paraplegia. Though surgery along with anti tuberculosis treatment (ATT) has promising outcomes; in patients unfit for surgical management or do not show significant improvement, neurological deficit may persist for long time or may be permanent and badly affects quality of life. This patient (58 years old female) of spinal tuberculosis was diagnosed as a case of Asthimajja Gata Vata from Ayurveda’s point of view. In view of paraplegia (Frankel grade A), neurological improvement with only conservative treatment was matter of concern. Patient received ATT (INH, Refampicin, Pyrizinamide, Pyridoxine and Streptomycin) and Ayurvedic medicines - Kaishora Guggulu, Samshamani Vati and combination of Swarna Malini Vasanta, Abhrak Bhasma and Chausasti Pippali, along with Abhyanga with Tila Taila and Matra Basti of Guduchi Siddha Yamaka Sneha. This patient showed significant improvement in neurological deficit within two months of Ayurvedic treatment. Complete remission was seen in loss of sensation, back pain, loss of appetite. Muscle power showed significant improvement (from 0 to 4). Marked improvement was seen in Frankel scale from A to D. Patient showed good tolerance for ATT. Ayurvedic treatment can be helpful as adjuvant treatment with conventional ATT for faster recovery from neurological deficits, improvement in quality of life as well as for good tolerance of ATT.