Column Treatment Progress Report No.127: A patient whose lower back pain caused by a herniated disc has been alleviated
August 14, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 50s
Patient treated in October 2023; it has been about 10 months since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient was found to have disc herniation at the points indicated by the red frame (L2/3, 4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatment
The patient first experienced lower back pain in 2018. He has had four more episodes since then.
He was diagnosed with a herniated disc during a health checkup.
He came to our hospital for a curative treatment.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each area on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is the feedback from the patient when we contacted him for the follow-up:
1 week after treatment, I am being careful not to overdo it. The pain itself has not changed in any way.
After one month, the symptoms have not changed in any way. I am trying to do my daily activities in a way that does not strain my lower back.
After three months, the pain has started to subside. I am thinking about starting to exercise again soon.
After six months, my daily life is fine, but when I play golf, I feel a heaviness in my lower back.
In this case, the main symptoms were thought to have been caused by disc herniation.
The repeated episodes of back pain are thought to have been caused by the presence of a crack in the L4/5 disc.
Since the treatment, the patient has not had any more episodes of back pain, and the level of pain has gradually decreased.
However, even after the treatment, there may be times when the patient feels pain or heaviness in the lower back when twisting his body, for example when playing golf. We are confident that the level of pain and heaviness will decrease over time, so we recommend that the patient does not overdo it.
* 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
