Column Treatment Progress Report No.115: A Patient Whose Symptoms in the Lower limbs Temporarily Worsened
June 4, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in January 2023, approximately 1 year has passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frames (L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In 2015, he developed sciatica twice.
In 2019, he was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. He was undergoing rehabilitation and monitoring his condition, but his symptoms gradually worsened.
The patient visited our clinic for treatment with the aim of improving her symptoms.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| 1 year after treatment | 0(6) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
After one week, his back felt better, but the rest of his body was unchanged.
After one month, the numbness in his legs had not improved. When he walked for a long time, he gradually lost strength and was unable to stand for long.
After 3 months, he could only walk about 200 to 300 meters before having to take a break.
After 12 months, the pain and numbness in the lower limbs disappeared a short time after his last contact with us. Although pain in the lower back would occur if he moved too much, he no longer experienced any pain in his everyday life.
It took a long time for the treatment to have an effect on this patient.
Because the Cellgel method involves injecting a drug into the intervertebral disc, the volume of the disc temporarily increases, which can make the symptoms worse and cause new symptoms to appear.
In this case, the patient’s lower limb symptoms temporarily worsened. The pain in the lower back disappeared, and the patient came to view the treatment positively.
It took about 6 months, but we are pleased that the symptoms have finally disappeared.
* 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
