Column Treatment Case No.162 | ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
August 9, 2024
The Patient
A female patient in her 30s
Patient’s medical history to date
After landing a jump when she was a student, she began to experience pain in her lower back and left leg. She visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a herniated disc.
She was recommended to have surgery last year but decided not to go ahead with that decision. She was treated with nerve block injections and other treatments.
She came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and 10 for the maximum possible pain.
Main areas of pain: lower back, left lower limb
Forward bending: pain in left lower limb
Backward bending: no change
Lasegue test: positive on the left at 45 degrees
Pressure pain: none
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional information about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs when sitting in a chair or bending forward.
Images and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – Disc herniation
The above was also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5, 5/s – Disc herniation on the left side was observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L4/5, 5/s.
The treatment was performed by the Director of the clinic, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel was injected.
The treatment took about 20 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
