Column Case Report No. 79｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka) Column
November 12, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient developed lower back pain in July 2023. At the time, this was monitored with block injections and electrotherapy.
From May this year, the numbness in the left leg worsened.
The patient came to our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Pain and numbness in the left lower back and buttocks.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain and numbness: lower back
Bending forward: Difficult
Bending backward: Possible
Pressure point: L4/5 on the left side
Lasegue test: Negative
Coughing and sneezing: No aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
No intermittent claudication.
Turning over in bed and sitting for long periods of time are somewhat difficult.
Symptoms are worse when sitting in a chair and standing up.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2 – Intervertebral disc degeneration
- L2/3, 3/4, 5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration, protrusion
- L4/5 – Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a high possibility that the main symptoms on the left side are caused by the disc herniation in L4/5.
There is also a possibility of pain and numbness due to protrusions in L2/3, 3/4, and 5/s.
The disc degeneration at L1/2 was treated from a preventative aspect.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 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 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
