Column Treatment Case Report No. 188｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
January 22, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient suffered from a strained back around 2014. It became better over time.
In 2024, she suddenly developed pain in her right buttock. She visited an orthopedic clinic but was told to do nothing in particular, other than wearing a corset and doing rehabilitation repeatedly, all without any improvement.
She came to our clinic to improve her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
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 right limb.
Forward bending: no change
Backward bending: right buttock pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on the right side
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs when bending the waist and when starting to walk.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4,4/5 – degeneration of the intervertebral discs
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4,4/5 – disc degeneration was observed, and is the most probable cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by our administartive Director Dr. Minowa.
This is an image showing the Discogel after the injection.
The treatment took about 20 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
