Column Case Report No.166 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo) Column
September 4, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
She gradually developed lower back pain as a result of playing sports in high school, which led to chronic lower back pain.
3 years ago, she visited a nearby orthopedic clinic because her lower back pain had become worse than usual due to her work and was diagnosed with chronic lower back pain.
She tried stretching and taking painkillers but saw no improvement.
In April this year, she suddenly developed lower back pain and numbness in her lower limbs. She visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a disc herniation.
She came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 to 8 | 0 | 4 to 6 | 0 |
We rate pain from 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst possible pain).
Main symptoms: lower back, lower limbs.
Forward bending: no change.
Backward bending: pain in the lower back.
Lasegue test: negative.
Tenderness: L2/3 left
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional explanation on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The pain worsens when standing up or sitting down, or when exerting oneself for too long.
Images and findings
- L5/s – Disc herniation
- L3/4 – Disc degeneration
The above was also observed on the imaging.
・Narrowing of the left intervertebral foramen due to disc herniation on the left in L5/S was observed, and this is highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms.
・Mild disc degeneration was observed in L3/4, from a prophylactic perspective.
Treatment
We decided to perform the Cellgel method on L3/4 and 5/S after consulting with the patient.
The treatment was performed by Director Minowa.
The image shows the insertion of the Discogel.
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
