Column Case Report No. 136｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
February 27, 2024
A patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 50s, from China.
The patient’s medical history to date
10 years ago, the patient had his first strained back, which gradually became better.
5 years ago, when he had another strained back, this time he became unable to move at all. At the orthopedic clinic, he was diagnosed with disc herniation and was told to actively do stretching exercises.
Currently, he is feeling better when he gets massages, but this doesn’t improve his condition durably.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lower back
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: Negative
Pressure points: None
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The pain increases when sitting for long periods of time.
His condition does not affect his ability to walk in any manner.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 – disc herniation
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – stenosis of the intervertebral foramen
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・A herniated disc at L3/4 was observed, and this may be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s
It was also performed on L4/5 and 5/s from a preventative perspective.
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 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
