Column Case Report No. 125｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
December 27, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had several episodes of strained back in the past. He received a treatment with hernicore, but still has residual lower limb symptoms.
In July 2023, he developed back pain and numbness symptoms in his right buttock after helping someone move.
He came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – lower back, right buttock, lower limbs
Forward bending: no change
Backward bending: pain in the right buttock
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: near the spinous process of L5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・daily activities
The pain affects all aspects of his daily life.
The patient has no problem with his walking ability.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – Degeneration of the intervertebral discs
- L5/s – Stenosis of the intervertebral foramen
The above was observed on the imaging.
・L5/s – Stenosis of the right intervertebral foramen due to disc degeneration was observed, and is the probable cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the needle inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 20 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
