Column Case Report No. 178｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
November 15, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has been suffering from lower back pain for about 10 years.
Three years ago, he began to experience pain in his left lower limb, and after visiting a local orthopedic clinic, he was diagnosed with disc herniation.
He underwent rehabilitation and received nerve block injections, but as there was no long-term improvement, he decided to visit our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, lower limbs
Forward bending: Numbness in the lower limbs
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: Negative
Pressure points: Spinous processes of L3, 4, 5
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms occur when bending forward or squatting to pick up heavy objects.
Imaging and findings
- L5/s-disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Disc degeneration was observed in L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s, and it is highly likely that this is the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L5/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 10 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
