Column Case Report No. 175｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
October 28, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In May 2023, she first developed sprained back. She took painkillers and monitored her condition.
In August 2024, she developed sprained back again. She had a sacral nerve block at a local orthopedic clinic, but since it did not improve her symptoms, she also had a nerve root block, which finally improved her condition.
Currently, she has severe pain in her right lower limb, and she came to our clinic seeking improvement of her symptoms.
Pain levels before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: both lower limbs
Forward bending: no change
Back bending: discomfort in the left buttock
Lasegue test: negative
Tenderness: around the L5/S spinous process
Intermittent claudication: she can walk without a break for a distance of up to 100m.
Supplementary explanation of the examination
・Daily activities
Walking and standing cause pain
Imaging and findings
- Degeneration of the L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s intervertebral discs
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Degeneration of the L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s intervertebral discs was observed, and narrowing of the intervertebral foramen due to protrusion was also observed. This is highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
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 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
