Column Case Report No. 66｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
September 28, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 50s
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient suffered two episodes of strained back after turning 30.
He has had chronic lower back pain since around the age of 40.
Numbness appeared in his right lower limb from April this year.
He visited an orthopedic clinic where he was diagnosed with disc herniation.
He came to our clinic seeking improvement of his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Chronic lower back pain, numbness from the right buttock to the tip of the right foot.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back, buttocks to the lower limbs
Bending backward: Possible
Pressure points: right L3/4, left and right L4/5, right L5/s
Lasegue test: positive at 45 degrees on the right, and at 60 degrees on the left.
Coughing and sneezing: Aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walking is possible with a corset, but difficult without one.
Images and findings
- L3/4 – Disc degeneration, mild protrusion
- L4/5 – Disc herniation, narrowing of the right intervertebral foramen
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a high possibility that the main symptoms that are more pronounced on the right side are caused by pain due to the disc herniation at L4/5 and the narrowing of the right intervertebral foramen.
There is also a real possibility that the protrusion of the disc at L3/4 is causing the narrowing of the spinal canal and the symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 25 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
