Column Treatment Progress No.92: a Patient Who Independently Attended a Rehabilitation Center in his Vicinity After the Treatment
January 24, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 80s
Treated in April 2023. Approximately 9 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments
This patient has spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L3/4,4/5 discs).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient began to feel pain in the lower back 30 years ago.
Before the treatment, he was only able to walk about 20 meters due to the pain in his lower back. He was able to walk some distance with the use of a walking cart.
He decided to come to our clinic because he had a long history of back pain and surgery was not indicated for him.
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 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, her posture and her walking improved. Her calves were still tight.
After one month, it had become better. There was almost no pain in her lower back but she felt discomfort at the base of her legs.
After 3 months, the patient’s walking distance had not increased. The patient was exhibiting symptoms of intermittent claudication.
After 6 months, the patient felt much better, but still had some symptoms of intermittent claudication.
The patient’s symptoms were probably caused by spinal canal stenosis in L3/4 and 4/5.
He has been attending a nearby rehabilitation facility on his own once a week since treatment.
Although his pain levels have decreased since the treatment, he still has some symptoms of intermittent claudication. Since there is a possibility that the problem may be more than just the disc, we suggested that he continue with the rehabilitation.
* 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
