Treatment Case Studies
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Column Treatment Progress Report No.126: a Patient Who Actively Engaged in Exercises After Treatment

August 7, 2024

The patient

A female patient in her 70s

Treated in September 2023, about 11 months have passed since the treatment.

Symptoms and treatment

This patient had stenosis of the intervertebral foramen due to a protrusion of the intervertebral disc at the points indicated by the red frames (L4/5, 5/s).

Medical history to date and treatment

She had been suffering from lower back pain for some time, but three months ago she began to experience pain in her left lower limb, and the pain became more and more intense by the day.

The patient was referred to a local hospital, where the pain was treated with medication.

The patient came to our clinic seeking a curative treatment.

The patient’s medical history to date

The table below shows the patient’s own assessment of the pain in each body site, rated on a scale of 0 to 10.

No pain at all is rated as 0, and the worst possible pain as 10.

Lower backLower limbsNumbnessButtocks
Before treatment2902
1 week after treatment2003
1 month after treatment1000
3 months after treatment5000
6 months after treatment0000

The following is the feedback from the patient herself when contacted for the follow-up.

After 1 week, the pain in her legs had improved a little.

After one month, she was able to do her housework free of pain.

After three months, her lower back ached when she stood up from a sitting position. At that point in time, she felt a constant sense of discomfort in her everyday life.

After six months, her symptoms suddenly disappeared about two weeks after we contacted her after 3 months. She is still a little worried that she will feel pain when she stoops for a long time.

It is believed that the symptoms of this patient were caused by spinal canal stenosis.

The patient was made aware of the importance of walking, and gradually got into the habit of exercising.

Now, she has made it a habit to exercise daily.

We think that the improvements of the symptoms are the result of the combined effects of the treatment of the intervertebral disc with the rehabilitation exercises.

* It takes about 3 weeks to 3 months to see the full effects of the treatment.

* Effects in the treatment may vary according to individual differences. Please be aware that there is a possibility that the exact same effects may not be replicated every time.

Our clinic’s treatment method

Here is some additional information about the Cellgel method that we have presented here.

Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per site (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen for 5 sites (including tax)

Cost for this patient’s case: Cellgel performed in 2 areas = 1,430,000 yen (including tax)

Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Due to the very nature of the treatment, the possibility of nerve damage is not zero, but so far there have been no reports of damage in either reported cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to the local anesthetic. 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 pulls in the surrounding tissues. Also, if the disc is almost completely worn out, it may not be possible to treat it. The doctor will consult with you during your visit to determine the best treatment option for your condition.

For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:

Column page explaining the Cellgel method in an easy-to-understand manner

Page of the Cellgel procedure at our clinic

This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic