CTRI

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or Marie Strumpell Disease is a chronic inflammation of the spine that primarily involves the sacroiliac joints and the axial skeleton. The clinical features of AS can be divided in spinal and extra spinal features. The spinal involvement results in complaints of chronic inflammatory back pain with morning stiffness. This morning stiffness lasts at least one hour, but often many hours, and improves with exercise but is not relieved by rest. Nocturnal exacerbation of pain that forces the patient to rise and move may be frequent. Pain at the cervical region and of the thoracic spine, especially with chest expansion, is caused by involvement of the cervical and costovertebral joints. The spinal inflammation coincides with the formation of syndesmophytes and squaring of the vertebrae, sometimes evolving into the classical bamboo spine, can lead to spinal ankylosis with a limited chest expansion, limited neck motion, flattening of the lumbar spine and thoracic kyphosis. There is no direct correlation of Ankylosing spondylitis mentioned in Ayurveda. But due to the maximum proximity of symptoms and pathology, AS in present study is being correlated to Kati-Prishtha-Trik-Graha mentioned in classics. Shoola (Pain), and Graha (Stiffness) in Kati (Pelvis), Prishtha (Posterior region of trunk from neck to pelvis), and Trik pradesha (Region around shoulder girdle) are the cardinal features of Ankylosing Spondylitis. In Ayurved, Graha (Stiffness) is one of the characteristic features of aggravated Vata and Kapha Dosha. Hence in the treatment of Kati-Prishtha-Trik Graha (Ankolysing Spondylitis), primary concern should be effective treatment of Kapha and Vata Dosha, which includes sequential administration of Swedana, Srotoshodhana and Basti. The present study will be conducted on 38 pre-diagnosed cases of Ankylosing spondylitis or those fulfilling the Spondylo Arthritis International Society (ASAS) criteria for Ankylosing Spondylitis. The patients will be randomly divided into 2 Groups. Patients in Group A will be treated with Patrapinda Swedana, Virechana, Erandamooladi Basti and Shamana therapy, while Patients in Group B will receive the same treatment except Erandamooladi Basti. Assessment will be carried out before and after treatment. Observations will be recorded, compared and will be statistically tested. Final conclusion will be drawn after the statistical analysis of the observations.