Back to Manuscripts

---

Introduction

Tuberculosis is an infectious condition caused by the manifestation of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis which is transferred through air [1] . Tb is one of the top 10 causes of mortality globally with incidence of 210 cases per 1 lakh population in India, India is on 36th position in term of incidence. [2] Only 10 percent individuals infected by mycobacterium get active TB, others become career. [3] Tb being a communicable disease always draws special attention in terms of management and restricting the disease. Potts Spine is the spinal infection of tuberculosis. 1 percent of Tb cases leads to spinal tuberculosis due to manifestation of the infection in spine [3] . The spread occurs through the blood vessels. Thoracic region is the most common area of infection, leading to the collapse of intervertebral disc and the vertebral body. Paraplegia is a complication of Potts spine, which can be divided as active onset or late onset paraplegia. [4] Management of paraplegia involve use of steroids, splinting and physical therapy Physiotherapy in case of paraplegia focus on improving the quality of life of the patient. Various treatment approaches are used in management based on the clinical presentation of the patient. [5]Physiotherapy helps in preventing the muscle atrophy and further deteriorating the patient’s condition. Electric stimulation is a method used to stimulate the nerve and muscles in order to maintain their functions. Depending on the type faradic or galvanic current is determined and delivered to the patient. In this case report we discuss the role of physiotherapy in management of paraplegia post laminectomy in a patient with pott’s spine. Case Presentation A 66-year-old male retired gardener with right hand dominance was referred to physiotherapy department post laminectomy and debridement with the complaints of pain in back region, inability to control urine and stools and inability to move his lower limbs. Patient gives a history of pain in upper back region 5 months ago. One month later the patient visited hospital and investigations like XRay, MRI were performed. He was diagnosed with Potts Spine. He was put on DOTS regime and got operated for the same (debridement and laminectomy done at the level of D4-D5 D5-D6 D6-D7) Figure 1- X-Ray of Thoracic Spine  Figure 2- MRI of Thoracic Spin

• On posture assessment kyphosis and barrel chest was seen on assessment hypoesthesia and hypoalgesia below the T12 level of dermatomes Motor Examination :
• Hypotonia was present in B/L lower limbs
• Range of motion: - No active range is present in bilateral lower limb 
• Babinski :Absent

Figure 1- X-Ray of Thoracic Spine                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2- MRI of Thoracic Spine

On posture assessment kyphosis and barrel chest was seen on assessment hypoesthesia and hypoalgesia below the T12 level of dermatomes Motor Examination- Hypotonia was present in B/L lower limbs

Range of motion: - No active range is present in bilateral lower limb Babinski- Absent

Deep:	Rt	Lt
Biceps	++	++
Triceps	++	++
Knee	0	0
Ankle	0	0

Physiotherapy Management

Phase 1(1-8 weeks)            

Goals - Patient Education, avoid Secondary Complications, normalize the tone, decrease the work of Breathing, Sensory Integration, Proximal muscle strengthening, Bowel and Bladder Retraining, Patient Education

Educate the patient about this condition, precautions to be taken, importance of respiratory hygiene and the role of physiotherapy in his condition and the importance of physiotherapy. To avoid pressure sores: - Two hourly positioning, airbed was given, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) pumps were given and passive ankle toe movement every 2 hours was advised to the care taker. Positioning was given to avoid contractures and hip knee ankle foot orthosis was given to prevent foot drop. Roods protocol was used to normalise the tone methods like quick icing, fast brushing, quick stretching was given. Fast icing for 8 minutes from proximal to distal direction was given once a day. Quick stretching was given for dorsiflexors, hamstring and adductor was given. Heavy joint compression was given for ankle, knee and hip joint. Faradic stimulation was given for peroneal nerve 3 sets of 30 repetitions. To reduce the work of breathing segmental breathing technique was taught. Pursed lip breathing is given to increase expiration. Different textures are used we progress from soft to rough gentle strokes 3-4 are given per dermatome to improve sensory feedback. Proximal muscle strengthening with 1kg weight was given.

Phase 2

Goals- Maintain the goals achieved in phase 1, improve the tone of muscles, maintain the muscle integrity. Teach the activities of daily living. Standing and ambulation

To improve the tone of muscles, roods protocol of fast icing, quick stretching and heavy joint compression was continued. To maintain the muscle integrity, galvanic stimulation was given to quadriceps muscles 3 contractions 3 sets. Wheelchair ambulation was given to maintain psychosocial wellbeing. Hip knee ankle orthosis was prescribed. Assisted sit to stand was given 10 repetitions 3 times a day. Passive range of motion exercises were given to the patient in order to maintain the available range of motion and give the patient kinaesthetic feedback. Range of motion exercises were performed 4 times a day for 10 repetitions.

Timeline	Goal	Intervention	Dosage
0-2 weeks	Patient education Secondary Complication Decrease the work of breathing	Explain the patient Dos and Don’t Airbed, two hourly positioning Segmental Breathing	7 repetitions 3 times a day
3-4 weeks	Sensory integration Normalize the muscle tone	Different Textures in every dermatome Roods approach- fast icing, heavy joint compression Passive Range of Motion	3 repetitions in each dermatome from soft to hard 8 minutes icing Joint compression 1 repetition 10 repetitions 4 times a day
5-8 weeks	Maintain the muscle integrity Standing	Galvanic stimulation for quadriceps Sit to stand exercises were given	3 sets with 30 contractions in each set 10 repetitions, 3 s

Discussion

In this case report we present a case of 66-year-old male with paraplegia due to tuberculosis of spine. The patient presented with hypoesthesia and hypotonia. The patient was operated for the TB spine with debridement and laminectomy. Post-surgery the physiotherapy intervention was given. The primary goal of physiotherapy was to make the patient independent for which normalizing the tone and maintaining the muscle strength was of great importance, rehabilitation protocol was planned considering this. 8 weeks of in hospital protocol was given and patient was further referred for physiotherapy in out patients’ physiotherapy department.

In 2016 a study was conducted to check the effect of human embryonic stem cell transplant and physiotherapy in subjects with spinal cord injury. They concluded that human embryonic stem cell along with physiotherapy has better results in terms of pain and improving gross motor and fine motor functions. ^[6] Another study was conducted in 2022 in which spinal cord injury post road traffic accident was seen. Physiotherapy rehabilitation protocol was given to the patient and significant improvement was seen in muscle strength and ASIA score. ^[7]

Conclusion

Pott’s Spine is a destructive version of tuberculosis spine, both the vertebrae and intervertebral discs are affected in such cases. Management of Pott’s spine is a multidisciplinary approach. Physiotherapy plays and important role in maintaining the available functions and improving the quality of life of the patient.

Conflict of Interest – Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Authors Contribution- All authors did equal contribution and read the final manuscript before publication.

Funding- No external funding was received.

References