Column Case Report No. 1｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
April 6, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
She was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, but in reality her lower back hurt more than her knees.
She was diagnosed with spinal stenosis at an orthopedic clinic more than 10 years ago.
She cannot sit down because of the pain in her buttocks, so she could only stand. But recently, her legs sometimes also become numb and this has made it impossible for her to stand.
When this happens, she has no choice but to lie down.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: Left lower limb, right knee.
Forward bending: possible
Back bending: possible
Lasegue test: negative
Pressure points: right L3/4, L4/5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
It is unclear when the numbness in the legs occurs when walking for a long time, or when the pain in the buttocks appears.
Her walking ability is about 500m or less.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5 – Spondylolisthesis
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – Spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
This is an image taken after the DiscoGel was injected.
The treatment took around 40 minutes to complete.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home without any particular problems when sitting, standing or walking.
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
