Column Treatment Case Report No. 120｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
December 05, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In February 2023, the patient developed pain in the lower back and right lower limb. He visited a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with disc herniation. He was told to monitor his symptoms, so he decided to wait and see, but the pain did not go away.
In May 2023, he received a block injection, and the pain improved after 3 months.
In September 2023, the pain flared up again during work. He had a block injection, but this time it did not improve.
He visited our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 2 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, right lower limb.
Forward bending: pain in the back of the right thigh
Backward bending: pain in back of right thigh
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: discomfort on 2/3 on the right side, and on 4/5 on the right side.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen with sitting and prolonged standing.
The patient is able to walk without limitations.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3 – spinal canal stenosis
- L2/3, 5/s – intervertebral disc degeneration
- L2/3, 5/s – disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3 – disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis, likely the main cause of symptoms.
・L5/s – disc herniation on the right side is consistent with the symptoms, and is the most likely cause of the main symptoms.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we recommended the above treatment.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3 and 5/s.
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 herself.
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
