Column Case Report No. 68｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
October 5, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
In December last year, she developed severe pain in her right leg.
After that, the pain disappeared, but around March, she began to experience pain and numbness in her buttocks again when walking.
The symptoms also appeared in her left leg.
She visited our clinic seeking pain relief.
Symptoms before treatment
Pain and numbness in the right buttock and lower leg.
She has had sciatica for some time. She had previously received nerve block injections to relieve the pain, but these are helped her any more.
Intermittent claudication was observed.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back, buttocks and lower.
Bending backward: Possible
Pressure points: None
Lasegue test: positive (right side, at 70 degrees)
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Standing up is easy, but turning over in bed and sitting for long periods of time are somewhat difficult.
Images and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
- L4/5 – Right foramen stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Due to the protrusion in L4/5, there is a high possibility that the narrowing of the right intervertebral foramen is causing the pain and numbness.
The main symptoms are caused by the protrusion of the discs at L2/3, 3/4, and 5/s.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 45 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
