Column Case Report No. 73｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column
October 22, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around a year ago, she began to experience numbness on the outside of her right thigh when she lifted heavy objects.
She was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis by a local doctor and was recommended to have surgery.
She came to our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Numbness in the lower limbs when carrying heavy objects
increase in lower limb pain and numbness after standing or walking for about 10 minutes.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 7 | 10 | 6 |
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
Bending forward: Possible
Bending backward: Possible
Pressure points: None
Lasegue test: Negative
Coughing and sneezing: No aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Standing up and sitting for long periods of time are no problem.
Turning over in bed and sitting with knees bent are somewhat difficult.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3 – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
- L3/4, 4/5 – Spondylolisthesis, intervertebral disc degeneration
- L4/5, 5/s – Suspected intervertebral disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The condition of the intervertebral discs at L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s is likely to be the cause of the main symptoms, as it is compressing the spinal canal.
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 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
