Column Treatment Progress Report No.130: A patient whose long-standing lower back pain has been reduced by half
September 2, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 90s.
Treated in September 2023. 11 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient was suffering from disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frames (L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s).
Medical History and treatments before our treatment
The patient had been suffering from lower back pain for some time, but it worsened 10 years ago.
She visited a local orthopedic clinic and had block injections, but he saw no improvement.
She came to our clinic for treatment.
Post-treatment progress
Here is a chart in which the patient himself evaluated the pain in each part on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is 0, and the maximum possible pain is 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
The following is the feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the patient felt better than before the treatment, but still felt a strange sensation in the lower back.
After one month, the symptoms had halved, and it was much easier to get up.
After 3 months, the level of pain had not changed. The pain disappeared when he moved around.
After 6 months, she felt some pain when lying down. Apart from that, she was able to live a pain-free life.
In this instance, we think the pain was caused by intervertebral disc degeneration.
It may have been difficult to completely eliminate the symptoms after so many years, but I’m glad that they’ve been reduced by half.
I think that the pain she feels when she wakes up is most likely caused by poor blood circulation. I think that doing things like massaging and stretching after taking a bath will improve blood flow and alleviate the symptoms.
* 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
