A novel approach for failed lumbar spine surgery with topical phytotherapeutic treatment: a unique case study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to treat successfully the failed Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery (LSFS) with topical phytotherapy within twelve-week.
 Methods: A male patient, aged 45years, was cripple with acute pain due to slipped disc for 4years and subsequently undergone LSFS at L4-L5 3years back. Being failed in surgery, he was treated with topical application of phytoextracts of seven medicinal plants (Cissus quadrangularis, Calotropis gigantea, Zingiber officinalis, Rosemarinus officinalis, Boswellia serratia, Curcuma longa and Withania somnifera) mixed with sesame oil and beeswax with specialized technique for twelve-week.
 Results: The percentages of improvement in international-approved pain related abnormalities and overweight were observed after post-treatment: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (Right leg: 94.91, Left leg: 94.87 and Lower back: 93.62), WOMAC index (Pain: 88.23, Stiffness: 84.71 and Physical function: 74.07), Oswestry Disability index (ODI) (74.47), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) (62.50), Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) (80.00) and Body Mass Index (BMI) (11.93) and substantial improvement in radiological images as assessed by KL grading scale (≥ 2).
 Conclusion: Results showed the failed LSFS at L4-L5 can be successfully treated with specialized topical phytotherapy within twelve-week, evidenced by normalization of international acclaimed pain parameters such as VAS, WOMAC index, ODI, LEFS, KPS and BMI and radiological feature as assessed by KL grading scale.
 Key word: Intervertebral disc degeneration; Failed spine surgery; Phytoextracts; Phytotherapy for failed LSFS; Medicinal plants