Column Case Report No. 173｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
October 11, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 50s
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had lower back pain since her 20s.
In 2021, she fell and hurt her hip, so she visited a nearby orthopedic clinic. She had several block injections, but the symptoms only improved for a few days.
April 2024: Symptoms worsened all of a sudden.
She came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower back, buttocks, soles of both feet.
Forward bending: lower back tightens
Backward bending: discomfort in the buttocks
Lasegue test: negative result
Pressure pain: 4/5 left, 5/s right
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen when sitting for long periods or bending over.
Images and findings
- L4/5 intervertebral disc degeneration
- L4/5 intervertebral disc spondylolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen due to L4/5 intervertebral disc degeneration and antelolisthesis are highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by herself.
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
