Column Treatment Progress Report No.100: a Patient Who Frequently Suffered From a Strained Back
February 28, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s
Treated in May 2023. Approximately 9 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments
This patient was diagnosed with intervertebral disc degeneration at the site indicated by the red frame (L5/6 disc).
In addition, a transitional vertebra (L6) was also observed.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In his 20s, he developed a strained back.
In October 2020, he visited a local orthopedic clinic for a left sciatic pain and was diagnosed with disc herniation.
To date, he has been suffering from repeated episodes of strained back, mainly during the winter season.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his 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 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the pain level had decreased, but it started to hurt again 2 days before the one-week followup.
After 1 month, the symptoms had completely disappeared.
After 3 months, the symptoms came back the same as in the first month, but there were also some painful episodes.
After 6 months, he was able to start to enjoy playing golf. Now that winter is coming, he is worried that the pain may return.
In this case, the disc at L5/6 is thought to have been the cause of the strained back.
When the MRI was taken at our clinic, there was no sign of disc herniation, but there were signs of a crack in the disc and traces of a herniated disc. The treatment in this case was performed on the relevant disc.
3weeks after the treatment, he attended the rehabilitation program of our clinic, and even after returning home, he continued to do the stretches he had been taught at the rehabilitation program as a preventative measure against pain.
As we have not heard from the patient since February 2024, we believe that he is currently pain-free.
* 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
