Column Case Report No. 126｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
January 12, 2024
Patient Case
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2021, she began to have pain in her left lower limb.
In October 2023, she visited an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
She came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – numbness from the left buttock to the left lower limb.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative Point of tenderness：
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
When she is walking.
No issues with her walking ability.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration causing intervertebral foramen stenosis, which is the most likely cause of each symptom.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the needle inserted into the intervertebral discs.
The treatment took about 50 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
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
