Column Case Report No. 132｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
February 05, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In his 20’s, he had his first episode of strained back. His back had been in bad condition since then.
Around 2020, the symptoms worsened. He visited a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with disc herniation. He was told that there was no particular treatment.
He came to our clinic seeking a curative treatment for his disc herniation.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
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, right lower limb
Forward bending: pain in lower back aggravated
Backward bending: pain in the buttocks
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: 4/5 on both sides, 5/s on the left
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain increases during backward bending and twisting.
The patient’s ability to walk is good.
Imaging and Findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L5/s – Disc herniation
- L3/4, 4/5 – annulus fibrosus tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4, 4/5 – the disc degeneration and annulus fibrosus tear, chronic low back pain are also a possible cause of the main symptoms.
・L5/s – disc herniation in the midsection is also likely to be the cause of the symptoms in the lower back and right lower extremity.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative Director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the DiscoGel after injection.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
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
