Column Treatment Case Report No. 70｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
May 20, 2023
A case of a patient who suffered from physical discomfort after skiing
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In April 2021, the patient’s back on the right side became painful after returning from skiing, but his condition improved after about half a year.
He visited his local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
In March 2022, he suddenly developed pain in his left lower back.
Currently, he is taking medication and monitoring his condition, but it is not getting any better, he decided to visit our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – left hip, left thigh, left knee.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: pain in the left hip
Lasegue test: discomfort on the right side and on the posterior aspect of the right thigh.
Point of tenderness: mild on discs 3/4, 4/5 on the left side
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
No particular problems with daily activities.
The walking ability of the patien is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – foraminal stenosis on both intervertebral foramina
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4/4/5 – spinal canal stenosis and narrowing of both intervertebral foramen is a probable cause of pain and numbness.
・L5/s – disc degeneration and narrowing of both intervertebral foramen, which is a probable cause of the pain and numbness.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
The cellgel Method was performed on discs L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s
The treatment was performed by our administrative director.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 30 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Additional information about the Cellgel method we have introduced in this column.
Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per area (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen per 5 areas (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Nerve damage is not a zero possibility due to the very nature of the treatment, but there have been no reports of damage so far in either report cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to local anesthetics. Symptoms may temporarily worsen during the first week or two after treatment. This is believed to be due to the decompression effect of the implant, which retracts the surrounding tissues. In addition, if the disc is almost completely collapsed, treatment may be difficult. The doctor hold a consultation with you during your visit to the clinic to determine the best treatment option for your condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
Blog page explaining the Cellgel Method in an easy-to-understand manner
The Cellgel Method on our treatment methods page
This article was written by the Administrative Director of our clinic
