Column Case Report No. 141｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
March 25, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In middle school, during the club activities, he experienced pain in his lower back that made it impossible for him to stand up.
In 2022: He visited a nearby orthopedic clinic because of severe lower back pain, and was recommended to have surgery, but he decided against it at the time because his condition improved.
In December 2023, he experienced pain in his lower back again. The pain has continued to this day.
He came to our clinic seeking treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain level before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lower back, right lower limb
Forward bending: pain in the lower back
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: positive at 50 degrees on the right side
Pressure points: None
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Most pain is felt when lying down and when getting up.
There are no problems with his walking ability.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration was observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms.
L4/5 also shows signs of disc herniation.
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 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
