Column Treatment Progress Report No.50: A Patient Whose New Herniation Consecutive To A Previous Fusion Surgery Improved At Our Clinic
July 10, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 80s
Treated in November 2022. Approximately 8 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
This patient had disc herniation in the areas indicated by the red frame (L4/5).
L5/S1: Status post spinal fusion surgery
L3/4: An old compression fracture was identified.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
Around 2004: Underwent surgery for spondylolisthesis at L5/S1 (spinal fusion).
September 2022: Upon waking up and placing his feet on the floor, a sharp, “stinging” pain shot through his right leg. He subsequently developed intermittent claudication. Nerve root block injections and oral medications were administered, but symptoms did not improve, and additional surgery was suggested.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed at one intervertebral disc level: 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 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
1 week after treatment: Pain radiated to the lower limb when standing up.
3 Months after treatment: Overall improvement was very significant. Occasionally, minor pain occurred, but it did not interfere with daily life.
6 Months after treatment: While a tiny bit of sciatica remains, the original severe leg pain had completely resolved. H Walking was no longer problematic, and the patient expressed great gratitude for the outcome.
As the pain caused by the L4/5 disc herniation improved, the patient regained the ability to walk the way he had prior to symptom onset.
By successfully treating the L4/5 herniation with the Cellgel Method, the patient regained his ability to walk normally. It is important to note that even if you have had spinal fusion or other surgeries in the past, if a different disc is causing the new pain, non-surgical repair like the Cellgel Method can still be highly effective. We encourage those suffering from post-operative pain at new levels to consult with us.
* 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
