Column Case Report No. 176｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo) Column
November 6, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2020, he began to feel a heaviness in his lower back and gradually developed numbness in his legs.
In 2022, he visited an orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, and subsequently received surgery. The symptoms did not improve, so he underwent another operation.
Currently, the symptoms have not improved, so he came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main symptoms: Lower back, both lower limbs
Forward bending: No change
Backward bending: Pain in right lower limb
Lasegue: Negative
Pressure point: None
Intermittent claudication: Able to walk without stopping for about 500m or less.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The symptoms worsen when bending over and at the start of ttaking a walk.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4,4/5 – Post discectomy
- L3/4,4/5 – Narrowing of the intervertebral foramen at both levels
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4,4/5 – Degeneration of the intervertebral disc was observed, as well as narrowing of the intervertebral foramen due to protrusion, which 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 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by the Administrative Director of our clinic, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the Discogel being inserted.
The treatment took around 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
