Column Case Report No. 64｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
September 21, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 60s
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient’s back pain first started in June this year.
From there, the pain and numbness grew larger.
A local doctor recommended a surgery to fix the disc with a metal plate,
but she prefered to come to our hospital for a treatment that didn’t involve surgery.
Symptoms before treatment
Pain in the left buttock, thigh and the outside of the calf.
Numbness in the sole of the foot.
・Pain levels before the treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
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: possible
Back bending: difficult
Pressure points: L3/4, 4/5 on the left side
Lasegue test: 45 degrees on the left side
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation of the symptoms
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
It is very difficult for her to stand up from a half-sitting position or to sit for long periods of time.
It is also somewhat difficult to stand up or turn over in bed.
Images and findings
- L1/2 – Disc degeneration, protrusion
- L3/4, 4/5 – Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a high possibility that the pain and numbness in L3/4, 4/5 are caused by the disc herniation.
L1/2 has a degenerated disc that is protruding, to be treated from a preventative perspective.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L1/2, 3/4, 4/5. The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 35 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
