Column Treatment Progress Report No. 40: A Patient Whose Quality of Life Improved After Treatment
June 7, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in January 2023. Approximately 5 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
Spinal canal stenosis was observed at L3/4 and L4/5 (indicated by the red frame).
Additionally, disc degeneration was noted across L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/S.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In her 60s: Experienced acute low back pain (strained back) approximately three times
December 2022: Became unable to move and was transported by ambulance. Diagnosed as requiring surgery at another hospital. Later discharged after symptoms improved with a corset and rehabilitation.
Subsequently, she visited our clinic and proceeded with treatment.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed at three intervertebral disc levels:
L1/2, L3/4, and L4/5.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 5 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
At 1 week: In the morning, my back feels as stiff as an iron plate, but it gets better after stretching.
At 1 month: On some days, I don’t feel any pain at all. When it does hurt, the level is the same as it was at the one-week mark.
At 3 months: I am now able to do aquabics (water exercise) and go shopping at far distances. I still experience heaviness only in the morning, but I manage it by doing yoga.
This patient had been physically active even before treatment. Although she was advised to limit activity immediately after the procedure, she gradually resumed exercise such as aqua fitness as time passed.
The fact that she is now able to manage occasional pain on her own represents a very positive outcome.
We encourage her to continue daily activities while being careful not to overstrain herself.
* Results vary among individuals. Please be aware that identical outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
* It generally takes 3 weeks to 3 months for treatment effects to appear.
Our Treatment Method
Supplementary Information on the Cellgel Method
Cost of the Cellgel Method:
¥1,320,000 / 1 site (tax included)
to ¥1,760,000 / 5 sites (tax included)
Risks and Side Effects:
Temporary pain may occur after treatment.
Nerve injury is theoretically possible due to the nature of the procedure, but no such cases have been reported in our own experience or in published studies.
Extremely rare risk of allergic reaction to local anesthetic.
Symptoms may temporarily worsen for 1–2 weeks after treatment, believed to be due to decompression effects of the implant pulling on surrounding tissue.
If the disc is severely collapsed or nearly gone, treatment may not be possible.
The physician will discuss suitable treatment options with each patient depending on their 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
