Column Case Report No.150 | ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
May 29, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
In January 2024, he suddenly began to experience pain in his left thigh. He visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and underwent traction therapy, but his condition did not improve significantly.
Although the pain has subsided since it first started, the symptoms have persisted.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
主な痛みの部分-腰、左大腿
Main areas of pain – lower back, left thigh
Forward bending: no change
Back bending: pain in the left buttock
Lasegue test: positive at 70 degrees to the left side
Pressure pain: none
Intermittent claudication: pain after 10m walked, pain subsides after 1-2 minutes of rest.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain worsens in the upright posture.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s-disc degeneration
- L3/4, 4/5-spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4, 4/5-spinal canal stenosis is present, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the symptoms in the lower back and thighs.
・L5/s-disc degeneration, from a prophylactic perspective.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4, and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Minowa.
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 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
