Column Case Report No. 142｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
April 2, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In December 2023, she began to feel pain in her left leg and numbness from her buttocks to her left leg.
She visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and had a nerve block injection, but the effect only lasted for 2 to 3 days.
She was able to walk with medication.
She came to our hospital seeking treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – buttocks, left lower limb
Forward bending: pain in the left buttock
Backward bending: pain in the left buttock
Lasegue test: positive at 80 degrees on the left side of the body
Pressure point: near the L5/S spinous process
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
・Daily activities
When sitting, she had pain in the buttocks and numbness in the calf.
When standing up, she often felt weak and like she was going to fall over.
She was able to walk for about 100 meters or less.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s: Disc degeneration
- L5/s: Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Degeneration of the L3/4 and 4/5 discs was observed, from a preventative perspective.
・A herniated disc was observed on the left side of the L5/s, and this was highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on the L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s discs.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 20 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 holds 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
