Column Treatment Progress Report No.134: a Patient Who Had Spondylolisthesis
October 2, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in October 2023. Approximately 12 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient had degenerative disc disease with lumbar spondylolisthesis at the level indicated by the red frame (L4/5,/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis about 8 years ago.
In August 2023, he developed numbness in both lower limbs.
He came to our clinic for treatment.
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 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the pain was steadily decreasing.
After 1 month, even if the pain around the lower back gradually increased when walking, overall, the symptoms were decreasing.
After 3 months, the pain shifted to the buttocks.
After 6 months, although some pain in the lower back and left leg occured when walking for long periods of time, he was very happy that he has no problems with his daily life and the numbness had disappeared.
In this case, it is thought that the cause of the symptoms were most likely caused by the L4/5 and 5/s intervertebral discs.
We initially thought that the treatment effect would be around 40% at best, due to the large area of the bone affected by spondylolisthesis, but we are very happy to see that in the end the symptoms have improved.
* 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
Page of the Cellgel procedure at our clinic
This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic
