Column Case Report No.61 | ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column
September 12, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 30s
The patient’s medical history to date
He developed disc herniation when he was 18 years old. He first felt pain in his left leg.
He had surgery under endoscopic guidance, and after that he was able to live without any discomfort for some time.
He developed the condition again at the end of February this year. He underwent rehabilitation at an orthopedic clinic, and his condition improved slightly.
He came to our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
He felt pain in his right hip and at the front of his right thigh when bending forward or getting up from a sitting position.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
The scale is rated from 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (maximum possible pain).
Main areas of pain – lower back, lower limbs
Forward bending: tightness in the back of the thigh
Backward bending: possible
Pressure points: L3/4, 4/5, 5/s
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing, sneezing: aggravation of the symptoms
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Standing with the knees bent and sitting for long periods of time are easy, but
holding heavy objects is somewhat difficult.
Images and findings
- L3/4, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
- L4/5 – Intervertebral disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The herniated disc at L4/5 is likely to be the cause of the narrowing of the spinal canal and of the pain in the lower back and legs.
The degenerative disc disease in L3/4 and 5/s is also likely to be 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. Maruyama.
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
