Column Treatment progress Report No.87: a Patient Who Had Difficulty Walking Due to Recurring Strained Backs
December 19, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 60s
Treated in April 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment
Symptoms and treatment
The patient has disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (L3/4 and 4/5 discs).
Symptoms and treatments
At age 15, the patient first suffered from a strained back.
As a working adult, once he was not able to walk for about a week due to a badly strained back.
In December 2022, he had his most recent strained back. The symptoms included fecal incontinence and walking difficulties.
He visited his local orthopedist and was told to monitor his condition for 3 months.
He decided to visit our clinic for treatment.
Progress after treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient rated the pain value of each part on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 9 | 7 | 9 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, he had no problem with his daily routine activities. The pain had lessened, but there was still some discomfort.
After one month, he felt a nagging sense of discomfort in his lower back.
After 3 months, he felt discomfort in his lower back. He began to feel the effects of the treatment when he walked all day at work and felt no pain at all afterwards.
After 6 months, he was satisfied with his daily life and work.
This patient is thought to have had cracks at L3/4 and 4/5.
Having repaired the cracks in the discs will reduce the number of strained backs episodes that used to occur on a daily basis.
The mending effect takes some time to develop, with many patients feeling the effects after about 3 months.
It usually takes between 3 weeks to 3 months for the treatment effects to become manifest.
* 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
