Column Treatment Report No.158 / ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
July 10, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 30s
The patient’s medical history to date
He has been suffering from lower back pain for the past 5 years.
He went to his regular’s hospital orthopedic surgery department, where he was diagnosed with a herniated disc.
This year, he also started to experience pain in his buttocks, and the effects of the medication were becoming increasingly ineffective.
He visited our hospital in the hope of improving his condition.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: left hip to left buttock
Bending forward: slight pain in the lower back
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: positive at a 60 degrees angle on the left side
Tenderness: 4/5 around the spinous process
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional explanation about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
He feels pain when walking or standing.
Images and findings
- L4/5-Disc herniation
- L3/4, 4/5 – Disc degeneration
The above is confirmed by the imaging.
・L4/5-hernia was observed and is the likely cause of the main symptoms.
・L3/4 – Mild disc degeneration was observed, and treatment was recommended from a prophylactic perspective.
Treatment
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel was injected.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel was injected.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
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
