Column Case Report No. 137｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
March 2, 2024
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 70s., from China.
The patient’s medical history to date
4 years ago, the patient started having symptoms of numbness in his left lower limb.
1 year ago, his numbness worsened. Numbness now also occurs in the right lower limb.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
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, left lower limb
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: pain in the lower back when lying on the back
Pressure points: near the spinous processes of L3, 4 and 5.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms begin to appear after walking for about 100 meters.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – intervertebral disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed, and this may be a possible cause of the main symptoms.
・L2/3, 5/s – intervertebral disc degeneration was observed, as a preventative measure.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
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
