Column Case Report No. 10 ｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
May 2, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
She developed a strained back about 40 years ago.
Last year, she started to experience pain in her left lower limb. She was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis.
She underwent rehabilitation, electrotherapy and block injections, but these gradually became less effective over time.
She came to our clinic seeking improvement of her condition.
Symptoms before treatment
Pain present from the left buttock to the entirety of the left lower limb.
Pain is present no matter what she does.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – lower limbs
Bending forward: left thigh feels tight
Bending backwards: symptoms improve
Lasegue test: positive at a 70 degrees angle on the left side
Pressure points: none
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
There is no pain in the morning. The symptoms only appear in the evening.
She is in so much pain when excreting that it is impossible for her to sit on the toilet seat.
Images and Findings
- Degeneration and protrusion of the intervertebral discs in L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s were observed.
- Narrowing of the L3/4 and 4/5 intervertebral foramen was observed.
- Spondylolisthesis of the intervertebral disc in L5 was observed.
・From the above, it is highly likely that L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s are the cause of the main symptoms.
L1/2 and 2/3 also have degenerated and protruding discs. From a prophylactic perspective.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
After the DiscoGel injection
the treatment was completed in about one hour
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
