Column Treatment Progress Report No.94: a patient whose symptoms have improved since the treatment
January 31, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s
Treated in April 2023. About 9 months have passed since the treatment
Symptoms and treatment
This patient was treated in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs L3/4 and 4/5).
L3/4 showed cracks and L4/5 showed intervertebral foramen stenosis on the right side.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In August 2022, he developed pain in his right lower limb. He consulted a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with possible spinal canal stenosis or disc herniation. He received symptomatic treatment through medication.
In February 2023, he started having pain in his lower back and left lower limb when carrying furniture. He had difficulty walking for a while, but has now recovered.
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.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 2 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, his symptoms had decreased.
After 1 month, he had less pain than before the treatment. Before the treatment, he was concerned about not being able to put strength on his lower knee, but it is now gradually improving.
After 3 months, he felt much better, but he had numbness in his toes after walking for a long time.
After 6 months, he had no more pain, but his left knee was still feeling heavy. He is glad to have done the treatment because he has now resumed playing tennis and does not feel particularly fatigued when he does.
This patient’s symptoms were likely caused by disc degeneration.
The pain in the right lower extremity, which was the main symptom, has now almost disappeared.
As for the numbness, although it took some time for it to disappear completely, the level of numbness has now decreased, so we think the treatment has been a success.
We hope the patient will continue to enjoy hobbies such as tennis in the future.
* 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
