Column Case Report No. 168｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
September 13, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 50s
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient developed a lower back pain a few times when she was in her 30s.
She developed left sciatic pain around 2018, and visited a nearby orthopedic clinic, where she was given medication, and her condition was monitored.
As the pain did not improve, she visited another orthopedic clinic, where she was diagnosed with disc herniation and osteoarthritis of the hip.
She visited our clinic as the pain failed to improve.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6~7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back, left buttocks
Backward bending: pain in the left buttock
Lasegue test: pain in the left thigh at 70 degrees
Pressure pain: L3/4, 4/5 on the right side
Intermittentclaudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The pain worsens with prolonged sitting
・Daily activities
- L2/3,4/5,5/s – degeneration of the intervertebral discs
- L2/3,4/5 – Tear in the annulus fibrosus
- L5/s – Left foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Degeneration of the L2/3,4/5 intervertebral disc and a torn annulus fibrosus were observed, and there is a high possibility of frequent episodes of back pain.
・Narrowing of the left intervertebral foramen due to protrusion of the L5/s intervertebral disc was observed, and there is a high possibility of this being the cause of the main symptoms, as it is consistent with the symptoms observed.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L2/3,4/5,5/s.
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
