Column Case Report No. 124｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
2023.12.20
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been visiting a pain clinic and receiving acupuncture treatment for about 2 years, but the symptoms themselves showed no improvement.
He came to our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – lower back and back of the right thigh.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: spinous process of L4/5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The pain increases when standing for long periods of time.
His condition does not affect his ability to walk in any manner.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration
- L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral foramen stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5, 5/s – Stenosis of the intervertebral foramen due to disc degeneration was observed, and is the probable cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the needle inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 20 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
