Column Case Report No.59 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column
September 7, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
When he was a student, he used to do weightlifting. He was diagnosed with disc herniation when he was in high school.
When he was in university, he was once unable to move for about a month in a row because of back pain.
His back still hurts to this day.
He came to the hospital seeking a treatment to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Symptoms were more pronounced on the right side. He was not troubled by them in his daily life, but he felt numbness when he sat for more than 30 minutes.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
The pain level is rated on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst possible pain.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Lower back, lower limbs
Forward bending: easy
Backward bending: easy
Pressure points: Left L3/4
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanation on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Turning over in bed and getting up are easy, but holding heavy objects or bending over is somewhat difficult.
Images and Findings
- L3/4, 4/5 – Degenerative disc disease, protrusion
- L5/s – Post-herniated disc,
the above was also observed on the imaging.
・Degenerative disc disease and protrusion of L3/4, 4/5 was also observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms.
The spinal canal was compressed due to the herniated disc at L5/S, which may have been the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/S.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kodera.
The treatment took about 40 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
