At 78, Relief in Lumbar Spondylitis Following Failed Surgery

A 78-year-old male (Patient ID: 51700) visited the Life Force Mulund branch in June 2023 with complaints of lower back pain with sciatica affecting both legs. He suffered from moderate back pain and hip pain that spread to his legs. His left side suffered greatly. The pain was constant and mild, occurring daily. Additionally, he expressed discomfort in his lower back because of the stiffness.

He was taking conventional medicines for pain relief, but these were not helping him for the last 2–3 months. The complaints started about 42 years ago and have been gradually progressing for the last 5-6 years. The patient had undergone a laminectomy of the lumbar spine a year ago, after which pain persisted and worsened further, restricting his outdoor activities.

The patient was a retired army colonel, disciplined, well-read, and fond of traveling. His wife was a cancer survivor and a homemaker; their only son was married and settled, working for an MNC. The patient shared a close bond with family. Recently, due to the sudden demise of his brother, the patient was very stressed and depressed about it.

Apart from these complaints, the patient did not have any other health concerns. He had fractured his knee in 1971 and recovered completely from it after surgery. The patient's father had a history of paralysis.

On examination, SLR was positive. The patient was slightly obese; blood pressure was within normal limits.

He was advised of investigations, which included blood reports and an MRI spine, and a prescription was given for the same. The scope was explained clearly to the patient that because of structural pathological changes, his condition cannot be cured; instead, only control and symptomatic relief can be achieved. Additionally, conventional treatment for acute pain was recommended; however, it was explained to the patient that gradually the need to take the conventional medicines would reduce once he started responding to the homeopathic treatment. The diet chart was explained, as were light pool exercises and yoga with guidance, and he was also advised to continue physiotherapy along with our treatment.

On the basis of his case details, he was prescribed NATRUM-SULPH-3O along with Dr. Shah’s research-based medicines and was asked to update us after 6 weeks of taking the medicines.

Investigations:

- Date: 06.05.2023 MRI LS:

- LSTV- Sacralization of LVS

- Post laminectomy status LV2

- L2-3 Diffuse disc bulge causing spinal canal stenosis

- Date: 07.09.23 MRI LS:

- Post op changes at L2 level

- Diffuse disc bulge at L2-3 level narrowing

- B/L lateral recesses and neural foramina causing impingement of B/L traversing nerve roots

Follow-ups:

Six weeks later, on the 19th of July 2023, the patient mentioned no relief in his complaints. Further, he mentioned his complaint of hard stools daily and straining, which aggravated his back pain. A recent MRI report showed diffuse disc bulge at L2-3 level narrowing B/L lateral recesses and neural foramina causing impingement of B/L traversing nerve roots. Based on his follow-up, he was again prescribed medicines for another six weeks. The medicines were revised this time along with Natrum sulph-30, and Calcarea flour-30 was given.

At the next follow-up on 31st August 2023, the patient mentioned his backache had majorly reduced but left-sided sciatica persisted, mainly due to recurrent traveling. Based on his follow-up, he was prescribed homeopathic medicines by Dr. Shah.

After another 3 months, on the 2nd of December 2023, pt mentioned overall relief in pain despite constant traveling. He was prescribed further medicines and asked to continue treatment further.

At present, the patient is stable and has negligible discomfort only when traveling. Also, he continues traveling without any debilitating pain as was earlier.

Conclusion:

This case demonstrates the strength of holistic homeopathic treatment for chronic structural pathological conditions like lumbar spondylitis management by providing significant relief, enhancing mobility, reducing pain gently and sustainably, and assisting in the facilitation of an overall improvement in daily function and improving the patient's quality of life without causing any side effects.

- Dr. Varsha Honkalse, Associate doctor to Dr. Rajesh Shah, MD (Hom)