Column Case Report No. 84｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column
November 28, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient began to experience numbness in her left leg in January 2024. This was followed by the onset of pain, which eased off and then returned.
The pain became particularly severe from around July 2024. At first, even taking a coiuple of steps would cause pain.
Around that time, the patient received 3 injections of a local anesthetic into her buttocks, but this did not relieve her lower limb symptoms.
She visited our clinic seeking relief from her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Severe pain in the left leg, below the knee, and buttocks.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 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: from the buttocks to the lower limbs.
Bending forward: possible.
Bending backwards: possible.
Tenderness: L4/5, at the midsection.
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Presence of intermittent claudication.
It is very difficult for the patient to hold heavy objects.
Sitting for long periods is no problem.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3 – Intervertebral disc degeneration
- L3/4, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
- L4/5 – Intervertebral disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The possibility of the main symptoms being caused by the disc herniation at L4/5 is very high.
The protrusion of the discs at L3/4 and 5/s may be causing nerve compression and the main symptoms.
L2/3 was treated from a preventative perspective.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kodera.
The treatment took about 30 minutes to complete.
After taking a rest in the recovery room, since the patient was able to sit, stand, and walk without any problems, he walked home on his own.
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
