Column Treatment Report No.160 / ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
July 22, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
His symptoms have been coming and going for over 20 years.
The symptoms began to worsen 3 months ago. He had been taking painkillers to see how his condition would evolve, but then he decided to come to our hospital to receive a curative treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5～8 | 6～8 | 5～6 | 6～8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: right lower back, right lower limb
Bending forward: pain in the right hip
Bending backwards: no change
Lasegue test: Slight worsening on the right side
Tenderness: None
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional information on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen with prolonged sitting or standing.
Images and Findings
- L5/s-disc herniation
- L5/s-Disc degeneration
The above was also observed in the imaging.
・A narrowing of the right intervertebral foramen due to L5/S-right disc herniation was observed and is very likely the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed in L5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel was injected.
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
