Column Treatment Case Report No. 36｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
December 26, 2022
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
Pre-treatment symptoms
- The patient was hospitalized 16 years ago with a lumbar disc herniation and recovered after a nerve block injection.
- However, numbness persisted even after discharge.
- On a pain scale of 1 to 10 (1 being least, 10 most severe):
- Lower back: 3
- Lower limbs: 7
- Buttocks: 4
- Numbness: 8
- He is able to walk more than 500 meters.
- Turning in bed, standing up, and washing his face are manageable, but forward bending posture, prolonged sitting, and lifting heavy objects cause difficulty.
Imaging and findings
- Disc herniation was observed at L5/S.
- Mild disc degeneration was observed at L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on four levels: L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S.
Note: The patient consulted with the physician and opted to treat the three mildly degenerated discs (L2/3, L3/4, L4/5) for preventative purposes, in addition to the herniated L5/S.
The image shown above is post–Discogel injection.
The treatment was completed in approximately 35 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient walked home without assistance
As demonstrated by this case, the Cellgel Method may offer relief even when numbness or pain persists following previous treatments like nerve blocks for disc herniation.
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
