Column Treatment Report No. 28 – ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
June 6, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient developed disc herniation in his late teens.
Remission occurred at the end of the period of observation.
The symptoms reappeared in his 40s.
The patient was treated with block injections and massage and put under observation.
He came to our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
It was painful when he made unusual movements.
Every time he carried a heavy object, it felt like he developed a strained back and he became unable to stand anymore.
He also felt pain when when waking up and turning over in bed.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 to 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back, legs
Coughing / Sneezing: Reverberation when his lower back is painful.
Lasegue test: Negative
Tender points: Positive on the right in L3/4, left L4/5
Additional explanation about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Numb sensation in the right knee.
Painful when going down stairs.
Images and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L3/4 – Inflammation of the intervertebral joint
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – disc degeneration and protrusion resulting in compression of the spinal canal.
This was most likely the cause for the predominance of the symptoms on the right-side.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
This image shows the patient’s back after the injection of the DiscoGel
The treatment took about 60 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
