Column Case Report No. 122｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
December 12, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2013, he developed low back pain and sciatica and visited his local orthopedic doctor, who diagnosed him with spinal canal stenosis. No special treatment was given at that time.
In July 2023, after climbing a mountain, he had residual numbness in both lower limbs. His walking speed also slowed down.
The patient visited our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10. Main area of pain and numbness: lower back, both legs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness：none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient’s legs are constantly numb.
He can walk more than 500 m, but at a slow pace.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4, 4/5 – intervertebral disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis, which is the most likely cause of the symptoms in the lower limbs.
・L3/4 – Stenosis of the intervertebral foramen due to disc protrusion, which is also the most likely cause of symptoms in the lower limbs.
Based on the examination and findings on the imaging, we recommended the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 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 25 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
