Column Case Report No. 135｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
February 21, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
15 years ago, the patient developed sudden lower back pain from excessive sneezing. He received urgent surgery due to difficulty walking and urinating. He had been in good condition since then.
In 2022, he relapsed, but has been getting a little better over time.
He visited our clinic to prevent the same problem as 15 years ago from happening again.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lower back, left lower limb.
Main areas of pain – lower back, left lower limb.
Forward bending: unable to bend forward due to pain.
Back bending: slight pain in lower back.
Lasegue test: positive on the right side at 80 degrees, and on the left side at 30 degrees.
Pressure points: 4/5, 5/s on the left side.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen when sitting in a chair for long periods of time.
Walking is possible for distances of 500m or less.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration
- L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc herniation was observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 25 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
