Mr. Velappan is a 67-year-old individual hailing from Thiruvanandapuram who has been experiencing swelling in both legs for a past one year. Additionally, he has a permanent flexed posture in his fingers and constantly suffers from low back pain. Moreover, he reports left-sided neck pain and is currently on medication for hypertension and cholesterol, which includes Cilnidipine and Atorvastatin. In August 2019, he suffered a spinal cord injury that has left him completely bedridden. Moreover, he underwent surgery for C3-C4 vertebral issues which occurred around 2-3 years ago while sitting. Furthermore, he is being treated for bipolar disorder, which is being managed with medication like Lithium carbonate (prescribed in 2006-2007), Olanzapine, Encorate, Sodium valproate & valproic acid. His current symptoms include decreased appetite, urinary urgency resulting in the inability to hold urine, a burning sensation during urination, increased urinary frequency, and constipation occurring once every 2-3 days. Following medical evaluation, Mr. Velappan was discharged with a month’s supply of medication. The patient was reported an improvement in his quality of life after 12 days of IP Ayurvedic treatment.
MRI Report
Recent MRI revealed significant spinal abnormalities including Compression Myelopathy at C3 to C7-T1 levels, canal compression at C7-6 and C4-C5, and a fracture in the bilateral lumen of the L5 vertebra. There is also documented ossification of various ligaments in the spine leading to marked spinal canal narrowing between C2 to C4. Diffuse ossification of anterior longitudinal, posterior longitudinal ligament, ALAR and opsal ligament. Moreover, a CT scan of his brain displays a chronic lacunar infarct over the posterior limb of the right internal capsule with involvement of the right thalamus.
Internal Medicine
17/07/2024
- Gulmantaka kashayam
- Maharaja prasarani thailam
- Gulgulu panchapalam
- Vata rakshasa bhasma
- Gokshura punarnavadi
21/07/2024
- Swarnapathradi choornam with hot water
External treatment
- Dhanyamla dhara -11 days
- Grihadhoomadi lepa / thepp – 12 days
- Nasyam – 12 days
- Choorna vasti – 5 days
- Choorna pinda sweda -6 days
- Karna pooranam with karpasasthyadi taila – 5 days
- Pichu with murivenna karpasasthyadi thaila -6 days
- Pinda thaila external application on hands
26/07/2024
Tiktaka ghritam external application on fingers
Discharge medication for 1 month(28/07/2024)
- Gulmantakam kashayam
- Maharaja prasarini tailam
- Vata rakshasa bhasma
- Gokshura punarnavadi + guggulu panchapala – 2-0-2 with hot water
- Nimbamrutha eranda tailam- 10 ml HS
- Pinda taila- E/A finger (then ellu kashayadhara)
- Murivenna+karpasasthyadi thaila for pichu neck
(Note* –
- Here are some of the medications prescribed to address the patient’s accompanying symptoms.
- This is a specialized plan for a person, please do not try it at home without the supervision of an Ayurvedic Doctor)
Changes observed after Ayurvedic treatment
| Sl.no | Changes before treatment | Changes after 6 days of treatment | Changes after 12 days of treatment |
| 1. | Stiffness in fingers | 20% | 50% |
| 2. | decreased appetite | 50% | 85% |
| 3. | urinary urgency | 30% | 50% |
| 4. | burning sensation during urination | 30% | 65% |
| 5. | increased urinary frequency | 40% | 60% |
| 6. | constipation | 15% | 20% |
| 7. | swelling in both legs | 20% | 50% |
| 8. | low back pain | 40% | 60% |
Myelopathy
A myelopathy is a severe compressive injury to the spinal cord that can be brought on by various traumas, autoimmune illnesses, disc degeneration, spinal stenosis or disc herniation. Compression of any segment of the spinal cord causes damage to the nerves all the way down the spinal cord, causing pain, numbness, and loss of balance and coordination in the affected location.Anywhere along the spinal cord can experience myelopathy. Myelopathy can result in irreversible nerve and spinal cord damage if left untreated..
Types of myelopathy:
Cervical myelopathy refers to a condition where myelopathy, which involves issues with the spinal cord, specifically manifests in the neck region. This can lead to a range of symptoms including pain, weakness, and coordination difficulties. Moving down the spine, thoracic myelopathy occurs in the middle section, resulting in similar issues related to the spinal cord. Patients with thoracic myelopathy may experience numbness, tingling sensations and problems with walking. Finally, lumbar myelopathy affects the lower part of the spine, potentially causing symptoms such as sciatica, difficulty standing from a seated position and muscle spasms. This patient has symptoms of lumbar myelopathy
Symptoms of Myelopathy
- loss of sensation
- pain or discomfort in the area at or below the compression point(Pain in the lower back, neck, arm or leg)
- Tingling, numbness or weakness
- Decreased balance, and coordination
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
Causes of Myelopathy
- Degenerative spinal condition such as spinal stenosis
- Disc herniations
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tumors, cysts, hernias, and hematomas
- Spinal injury or infection
- Inflammatory disease
- Radiation therapy
- Neurological disorders
Diagnosis of Myelopathy
- X-ray – spine
- MRI or CT
- Myelography
- Electromyogram
