Column Case Report No.57 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column
September 3, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
29 years ago, he had a bad fall and sustained a compression fracture.
He had to rest for about a month, wearing a corset.
He mainly has lower back pain.
He came to the hospital seeking relief.
Symptoms before treatment
He had pain when sitting for long periods in the same position, when he began walking or moving, and when running uphill.
He had pain in his lower limbs when exercising. He sometimes got numbness in his lower back when he sats in the same position for too long.
He had pain when bending over.
・Pain level before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
Pain is rated on a scale of 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst possible pain).
main areas of pain: lower back, lower limbs
forward bending: lower back pain
backward bending: lower back pain when overextending
pressure points: L3/4 on both sides, L4/5 on the right, L5/S on both sides
Lasegue test: positive at 45 degrees on the left side.
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation.
Additional explanation on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities:
Desk work. He started exercising two years ago.
Bending over is slightly difficult, but washing one’s face is easy.
Images and findings
- L1/2 – Intervertebral disc degeneration, left facet joint arthritis.
- L2/3 – Mild disc degeneration, herniation, right facet joint arthritis
- L4/5 – Disc degeneration, protrusion, bilateral facet joint arthritis
- L4 – Compression fracture
The above was also observed on the imaging.
・Besides herniation in L2/3 and 4/5, the main cause of the symptoms is likely to be the spinal canal compression due to the protrusion.
L1/2 was also treated from a prophylactic perspective
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 35 minutes to complete.
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
