Column Case Report No. 139｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
March 13, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
5 years ago, the patient’s back pain appeared for the first time.
in 2023, the symptoms worsened after breast cancer surgery, and numbness in both lower limbs began to develop.
She came to our clinic seeking treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lower back
Backward bending: slight pain in the lower back
Lasegue test: Negative
Pressure point: near the spinous process of L4/5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen when standing or remaining in the same posture for a long time.
She can walk for about 100m or less.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration
- L3/4 – Spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4 – Spinal canal stenosis was observed, and is a possible cause of the main symptoms.
・L4/5 – Intervertebral disc degeneration was observed, and is also a possible cause of the left lower back and lower limbs.
・L5/s – Disc degeneration was observed, from a preventative perspective.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 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 15 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
