Column Treatment Case Report No. 96｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
January 11, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had chronic low back pain for a long time. He has had recurrent bouts of disc herniation.
Recently, he has been experiencing severe pain going from his left hip to his leg.
He is experiencing gradual difficulty in walking. An MRI was taken at an orthopedic clinic. He was diagnosed with disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis.
He came to our clinic seeking improvement of his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Pain from the left hip to the toes, tension in the back of the left thigh and the calf, inability to step on the leg or apply any force on it.
Discomfort in the right hip joint, only numbness (and not pain) in the lower limb when sitting, and numbness in the buttocks when sitting, standing, or sleeping.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 9 | 9 | 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, lower limbs.
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Point of tenderness: none
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: present
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
It is very difficult for the patient to stand up and sit down for a long time. Walking difficulties.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4,5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L4/5 – disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The herniation and the protrusion are compressing the spinal canal and likely the cause of the pain and numbness.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 30 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
