Column Case Report No. 74｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
October 24, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had leg numbness for the past six years.
In August this year, he developed lower back pain when he was carrying a heavy object and twisted his body.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
The patient had numbness from the right hip to the right lower leg.
His lower back pain increased when twisting his body.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower limbs
Forward bending: easy
Backward bending: difficult
Pressure points: right L3/4, 4/5, L5/S
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: No aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Washing one’s face and sitting for long periods of time are easy.
Turning over in bed and bending over are somewhat difficult.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3 – Intervertebral disc degeneration
- L3/4 – Intervertebral disc herniation
- L4/5 – Intervertebral disc herniation, right foramen stenosis
- L5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a high possibility that the cause of the symptoms on the right side is due to the herniated disc at L4/5 and the narrowing of the right intervertebral foramen.
There is also a good possibility that the cause of the symptoms is due to the compression of the spinal canal by the discs at L3/4 and 5/s.
The disc degeneration at L2/3 was done from a preventative perspective.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kodera.
The treatment took about 40 minutes to complete.
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
