Column Case Report No.165 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo) Column
August 30, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 40s
The patient’s medical history to date
He had been suffering from repeated bouts of strained back pain for a long time.
He developed a strained back at the end of last year, and although it somewhat improved, the symptoms have continued to this day.
Painkillers and nerve block injections make him feel better, but the symptoms keep coming back.
He came to our hospital seeking a curative treatment.
The patient’s symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – Lower back
Forward bending: No change
Backward bending: No change
Lasegue test: Negative
Tenderness: Around the L4/5 spinous process
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional information on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs when sitting on a chair.
Imagings and findings
- L4/5 – Disc herniation
- L4/5,5/s – Degenerative disc
The above was also observed on the imagings.
・Narrowing of the left intervertebral foramen due to a herniated disc on the left in L4/5 was observed, and it is highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms
・Narrowing of both intervertebral foramina due to protrusion of the disc in L5/s was observed, and it is also highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L4/5 and 5/S.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the Discogel being 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
