Column Case Report No. 180｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo) Column
November 25, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
While in his 30s, the patient developed a strained back. After a few days, the pain eased, but he continued to feel occasional pain in his lower back.
In 2009, he visited a local orthopedic clinic, where he was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and given a nerve block injection. After about six months, the pain eased.
In 2024, while playing golf, he felt pain in his lower back. He decided to visit our clinic after trying osteopathic treatment and block injections without any improvement.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 8 | 9 | 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 back, left lower limb
Forward bending: aggravation of pain
Backward bending: aggravation of pain
Lasegue test: negative
Tenderness point: L4/5, 3/4 on the right, L3/4 on the left.
Intermittent claudication: positive, appearing after walking for 500m or less.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The pain becomes stronger when sitting, bending over, or during the initial stages of walking.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – intervertebral disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 30 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by herself.
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
