Column Case Report No. 185｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In September 2024, after training at the gym, pain appeared from the left lower back to the buttocks. The pain gradually spread to his lower limb.
He visited his local orthopedist and was diagnosed with disc herniation. He received a block injection, but the symptoms returned within one to two hours.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain and numbness: lower back, left lower limb
Forward bending: left buttock pain
Backward bending: left buttock pain
Lasegue test: left buttock pain
Point of tenderness: left 3/4,4/5,5/s
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain is worse when walking and standing.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – Disc herniation
- L4/5, 5/s – Degeneration of the intervertebral discs
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – Disc herniation on the left side was observed, and is the most likely cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L4/5 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 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
