Treatment Case Studies
& Blog

Column Case Report No.55 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column

August 29, 2024

The patient

A male patient in his 40s

The patient’s medical history to date

 He was diagnosed with disc herniation about 10 years ago. He developed pain while playing golf.

The pain would come on in cycles of about a year and would improve after about two weeks.

Recently, the degree of improvement has been getting worse, and he has not felt any benefit from electrical stimulation, massage, or traction.

He came to the clinic seeking relief from pain.

Symptoms before treatment

 Pain and numbness from the buttocks to the back of the knees.

The pain worsens when standing up.

 

・Pain level before treatment

Lower backLower limbsNumbnessButtocks
Pain level3111

No pain at all = 0, maximum possible pain = 10

Main areas of numbness: lower back, lower limbs

 Forward bending: possible

Backward bending: possible

Pressure point: left L4/5

Lasegue test: negative

Coughing, sneezing: aggravation

Additional information on our clinic’s medical examination

・Daily activities

Sitting for long periods of time is extremely difficult.

The patient enjoys playing golf and mountain climbing.

 

Images and findings

 

  • L3/4, 4/5 – Disc degeneration, protrusion

The above was also observed on the imaging.

・There is a high possibility that the main symptoms are caused by the compression of the spinal canal due to disc degeneration and protrusion at L3/4, 4/5.

 

Treatment

After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5

The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.

The treatment took about 30 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