Column Treatment Progress Report No.70: A Patient Who Took a Positive Approach to His Treatment
October 02, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 60s
Treated in February 2023. About 7 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
The patient has a disc protruding in the area indicated by the red frame ( disc L4/5 and 5/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In his 50s, the patient began to have occasional symptoms of low back pain and sciatica.
In December 2022, he had difficulty walking after a prolonged sitting. He consulted an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis. He was also recommended to undergo surgery.
He visited our clinic in order to receive treatment.
His walking ability is not affected.
Treatment
Treatment was performed using the Cellgel method on a total of two intervertebral discs, L4/5 and 5/s.
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 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 2 | 6 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the pain remained the same as pre-treatment.
After 1 month, although he walked about 10,000 steps a day, there was no change in his symptoms.
After 3 months, he also started going to the gym, but he didn’t feel any dull pain or tiredness anymore. But there was still some pain remaining.
After 6 months, although the symptoms of numbness may flare up occasionally, usually the numbness is better than prior to the treatment.
This patient is a very positive person and actively started exercising on his own even if he did not initially feel better a month after treatment.
Although some pain remains, the patient feels better than before the treatment.
The patient is very grateful that the numbness symptoms, which was his greatest concern, had decreased considerably.
* 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
