Column Treatment Progress Report No.99: a Patient Whose Symptoms Disappeared Unexpectedly 3 Months After the Treatment
February 24, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 40s
Treated in May 2023. Approximately 9 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments
This patient had disc herniation at the site indicated by the red frame (L5/S disc).
Disc degeneration was also observed in L2/3.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In 2022, the patient felt a strange sensation in his lower back. He visited a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with disc herniation. His symptoms gradually improved, and by January 2023, the pain had completely disappeared.
In February 2023, the pain returned. He received a nerve root block and was given painkillers, but the pain returned the next day. During the day, the pain was weak, but at night it was so strong that he could not sleep.
The patient visited our clinic seeking relief from 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 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the symptoms were unchanged.
After 1 month, the symptoms had eased slightly.
After 3 months, the symptoms had disappeared completely.
After 6 months, the symptoms were still at 0. He was able to exercise 3 times a week without any problems.
In this case, it is thought that the symptoms were caused by disc herniation in L5/S.
For a month after the treatment, the pain did not weaken, so he even
considered surgical treatment for a while.
The patient was very happy that his symptoms had completely disappeared. He used to do winter sports, so we hope he will be able to enjoy them without overdoing it.
* 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
