Column Case Report No. 152｜ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
June 7, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 60s
The patient’s medical history to date
She began to feel pain in her lower back 3-4 years ago. She also had numbness in her lower limbs, but this has now subsided.
She was diagnosed with disc herniation at an orthopedic clinic, and was told that if her condition worsened, she would have no choice but to have surgery.
She decided to visit our clinic in order to improve her condition.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back.
Forward bending: no change
Back bending: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Pressure pain: spinous process in L2,3,4,5
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms are exacerbated during sleep and when waking up
Imaging and findings
- L2/3,3/4,4/5 – degeneration of the intervertebral discs
- L4/5-Spinal – spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – Spinal canal stenosis was observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms.
・L3/4, 4/5 – Degeneration of the intervertebral disc was observed, and from a prophylactic perspective as well.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L2, 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono
This is an image of the patient after the Discogel was injected.
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
