Column Treatment Report No.46 |ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
August 1, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 80s
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient sometimes felt a heaviness in the lower back.
One day in 2022, he suddenly had trouble walking as he tried to rush onto a train.
He was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis at a nearby clinic.
He tried doing some back exercises, but that didn’t help.
He came to our clinic seeking relief from his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
He starts feeling numbness after standing upright for a while.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lower limbs
Forward bending: Possible
Back bending: Difficult
Lasegue test: Positive on the right
Pressure points: None
Coughing, sneezing: No aggravation
Additional information on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Sitting for long periods is easy, but turning over in bed and getting up are somewhat difficult.
Bending forward eases the condition
Images and Findings
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis
- L3/4 – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
- L5/S – Disc degeneration, mild protrusion
The above was also confirmed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – Spinal canal stenosis and foraminal stenosis were observed, and the possibility of spinal canal compression being the cause of the main symptoms is high.
The yellow-framed L3/4 and 5/s discs show signs of degeneration, protrusion and narrowing of the intervertebral foramen, which may also be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kodera.
The treatment took about 60 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
