Column Treatment Case Report No. 193｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
February 28, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around 2021, pain in the patient’s right buttock began to appear gradually. He visited a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, and was given medication and told to monitor his condition.
However, even though his symptoms failed to improve, he was under the impression that it would be better not to undergo surgery.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
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, both lower limbs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on the right side
Intermittent claudication: positive (after walking for 400 or 500m, numbness appear in the lower limbs)
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Numbness in the lower limbs and pain in the buttocks occasionally occur when walking.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L1/2,2/3,3/4,4/5,5/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – severe spinal canal stenosis, most likely the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the FlorenceMethod was performed on 4/5.
Below is a picture after implantation of the Florence Method.
The treatment took about 65 minutes (20 minutes for anesthesia + 45 minutes for treatment).
After taking a rest in the recovery room, since the patient was able to sit, stand, and walk without any problems, he was allowed to walk home on her own.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Additional information about the Florence method we have just presented above.
Cost of the Florence method: 1,540,000 yen/one site (including tax) to 2,090,000 yen/2 sites (including tax)
Cost for this patient’s case: Florence method on one site = 1,540,000 yen (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Florence method: Although there are no reports of such cases in our own experience or in the literature, there is a possibility of damage to nerves, dura mater, and other surrounding tissues following the insertion of the spacer. There is a very small possibility of allergic reaction to the local anesthetic. There is a possibility of dislocation or fracture of the spinous process. Temporary urinary problems and allergic reactions may also occur.
Blog article explaining the Florence method in an easy-to-understand manner (in Japanese)
Our clinic’s page about the Florence Method
This article was written by the Administrative Director of the Clinic
