Column Case Report No. 177｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo) Column
November 11, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
From her 30s onwards, she began to suffer from a strained back once every few years.
In 2022, she began to feel numbness in her left leg. She visited a local orthopedic clinic and was given medication as a conservative treatment. When the medication ran out, she ignored the symptoms and they disappeared naturally.
In 2024, she began to feel pain in her right hip. She also began to experience intermittent claudication. She did not go to the hospital, but instead observed the situation while receiving acupuncture and moxibustion.
As she saw no improvement, she decided to visit our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower back, buttocks
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: Negative
Pressure points: None
Intermittent claudication: She needs to take a rest every 200m when it is really bad.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen when sitting or walking.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – Disc degeneration
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – Annular tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Degeneration of the L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s intervertebral discs was observed, and some discs showed annular tears. There is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms, and of the frequent bouts of lumbago as well.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 25 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
