Intermittent neurogenic claudication-induced gait disturbance treated with Ayurveda: A case report

Abstract

This case report details the Ayurvedic treatment of a 49-year-old male with gait difficulties and pain due to lumbar canal stenosis. A three-week course of Ayurvedic therapies, including massage and oral medications, resulted in significant pain reduction (low back pain VAS from 5 to 2; leg pain from 6 to 2) and improvement in the straight leg raise test (40 to 60 degrees). While some gait parameters showed minimal change (step length 0.70m to 0.69m; stride length unchanged; step time 0.48s to 0.49s; stride time unchanged), walking speed increased (1.24 m/s to 1.39 m/s) and gait asymmetry decreased (22% to 20%). While suggesting potential benefits of Ayurveda for pain management in lumbar canal stenosis, the limited impact on gait parameters underscores the need for further research, including objective gait analysis and controlled studies, to confirm efficacy.