Column Treatment Report No.161 – ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
July 31, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
She had been suffering from back pain for some time.
She began to experience pain in her thighs a year ago and visited her local orthopedic surgeon. She was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and was treated via rehabilitation and medication, but her condition failed to improve and so she decided to visit our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower back, both thighs
Bending forward: no change
Bending backwards: pain in the buttocks and lower limbs
Lasegue test: negative
No tenderness:
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional explanation of our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs when lifting heavy objects or when getting up.
Images and Findings
- L4/5-Spinal canal stenosis
- L4/5 – Anterolisthesis
- L5/s-Disc herniation
The above was also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5-stenosis of the spinal canal with spondylolisthesis was observed and is highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms
・L5/s-Disc herniation is present, and it may also be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel was injected.
The treatment took about 15 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
