Column Case Report No. 7｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
2024.04.25
The patient:
A male patient in his 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
3 years ago, the patient underwent posterior fusion surgery for spinal canal stenosis.
Gradually, he came to experience pain in his lower back and numbness in his legs.
Symptoms before treatment
The patient had pain in his lower back after bending over for a few minutes.
He also had chronic leg numbness.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10. Main pain area: lower back
Backward bending: limited movement after surgery, but no particular pain
Lasegue test: positive on the left side
Pressure points on the lower back: tenderness on the left in L3/4 and L4/5.
Coughing / sneezing: no aggravation
Aggravating positions: stooping, walking for about 500m
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Turning over in bed and washing one’s face are easy, but
standing and sitting for long periods of time are somewhat difficult.
Images and findings
- Posterior fusion surgery on the sacrum in L4, 5
- Degeneration of the intervertebral discs in L2/3 and 3/4
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Because of the previous posterior fusion surgery, the numbness caused by L4, 5 and the sacrum cannot be cured, but improvement of discogenic low back pain due to the adjacent vertebral body disorder can be expected.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L 2/3, 3/4.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
Image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection
The treatment took about 35 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
