Complete resolution of lumbar disc sequestration with Ayurveda management: A case report

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is the most common spinal disorder among which disc sequestration is a severe type where the herniated disc fragment migrates and is completely separated from the parent disc. A 46-year-old female patient with severe lower back pain radiating to right lower limb, disability, and numbness in the affected extremity came to Panchakarma O.P.D of our hospital. She was a chronic case of disc sequestration where her symptoms were severely aggravated after a sudden jolt felt on her lower back while traveling on a motorcycle. The patient's Oswestry disability index (ODI) score was 90 % which indicates a bed-bound condition and even Schobar's test indicated a severe reduction in lumbar flexion capability. MRI showed postero-central herniation with disc sequestration at L5-S1 caused compression on the subarachnoid space and traversing S1 nerve roots. She was treated according to Ayurveda treatment principles and underwent Panchakarma like medicated enema (Basti) and fomentation of a lumbosacral region with oil (Kati Basti). She also received different oral medications on successive follow-ups. After 6 months of Ayurveda treatment, the patient showed remission in lower back pain (LBP), radiculopathy, and numbness. Her ODI score was reduced to 6 %. The MRI repeated post-treatment showed complete interval resolution of disc sequestration and no neurological compression was observed.