Column Treatment Progress Report No.151: a Patient Whose Symptoms Were Thought to be Caused by Another Pre-existing Condition, but Which Improved in the Course of Treatment
January 20, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treatment in December 2023. About 12 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments up to now
This patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient was diagnosed with disc herniation in 2019. She received medication and block injections, but without any improvement.
Since she had been living with pain until now, she decided to come to our clinic after learning about us.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 1 month after treatment | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| 6 months after treatment | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| 12 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain and numbness were slightly less severe in the lower back and other parts of the body.
After one month, the pain was getting better. There were moments with no pain at all.
After 6 months, symptoms were less frequent during the day, but often appeared in the evening.
After 12 months, the patient still had pain when she was tired from work, but the symptoms were brief and she was getting more and more comfortable after the treatment.
This patient’s symptoms are thought to have been caused by spinal canal stenosis.
Although there is a possibility that the numbness in the lower extremities was due to another preexisting condition, still the Cellgel method has relieved the overall symptoms.
The patient herself also thought it was due to a pre-existing condition, but since the main symptoms originated in the lower back, the result was still considered as satisfactory.
* 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
