Column Treatment Progress Report No. 98: a Patient Whose Spondylolisthesis Improved After Treatment

February 20, 2024

The patient

A female patient in her 70s.

Treated in May 2023. Approximately 9 months have passed since treatment.

Symptoms and treatments

This patient had degenerative disc disease in the areas indicated by the red frame (L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s discs).

Posterior slippage was observed in L4. Signs of the presence of a crack was observed in L2/3.

Pre-treatment medical history and treatments

About 20 years ago, the patient developed sudden back pain which left her temporarily unable to move. From then onwards, the patient began to experience numbness in the sole of the left foot.

About 3 years ago, the patient began to also feel pain and discomfort in the left buttock.

In April 2023, the patient visited a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a collapsed bone that was compressing the nerves.

The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve her 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.

The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.

After 1 week, the pain around the buttocks eased a little.

After 1 month, there were times when she felt intense pain when walking, but other than that it was bearable.

After 3 months, there was a little numbness left, but the other symptoms had eased considerably.

After 6 months, there was still numbness in the sole of her foot, but other than that there were no symptoms, so she was elated about the result.

In this case, the patient’s symptoms improved as the nerve compression caused by the protruding disc at L4/5 and 5/s was relieved.

It is thought that the left sole is still numb due to nerve compression caused by the slipping in L4. Although the symptoms have improved, it is difficult to completely cure the condition with a treatment due to the significant damage to the bone.

We believe that the best way to approach the symptoms is to minimize them as much as possible through rehabilitation. Otherwise, we are very pleased that the symptoms have improved with our 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