Column Treatment Progress Report No.102: a Patient Who Developed Pain After Going Skiing
March 8, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
treated in May 2023, about 9 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and Treatment
This patient has spinal canal stenosis in the areas indicated by the red frames (L3/4, 4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In 2021, after skiing, the patient began to experience pain in his right lower back, but after about six months the pain disappeared. He visited an orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with lumbar osteoarthritis and spinal canal stenosis.
In March 2023, after skiing, his left lower back and left leg suddenly start to hurt.
The patient came to our hospital seeking 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 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the pain in his lower back had disappeared and he felt good after waking up in the morning.
After 1 month, he still had a strange sensation in his thigh.
After 3 months, he felt no pain in his lower back anymore, and only a strange sensation in his left thigh remained.
After 6 months, he was able to live a pain-free life. The frequency of the strange sensation in his lower limbs had also halved, and he was glad that he had chosen that treatment.
In this case, we believe that spinal canal stenosis at L4/5 and 5/s was the cause of the symptoms.
The main symptoms were pain in the lower back, left thigh and knee. The pain in the lower back completely disappeared, and the discomfort in the left thigh gradually decreased in frequency.
As for the knee, there was a high possibility of cartilage damage, so we asked the patient to visit the orthopedic department of a local hospital.
We are very happy that the patient said he was glad he had the treatment.
* It takes approximately 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
