Column Case Report No. 85｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
November 30, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient was diagnosed with disc herniation 2 years ago. He was prescribed medication and monitored, but his condition did not improve.
Since his symptoms gradually spread to his lower limbs.
He decided to visit our clinic seeking improvement of his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Lower back pain on the right side, pain and numbness on the outside of the right calf.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain and numbness: from the lower back to the lower limbs
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness：None
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Turning over in bed and sitting for long periods of time are no problem.
Bending over and lifting heavy objects are somewhat difficult.
No history of strained back.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 – Mild disc degeneration, slight protrusion
- L4/5 – Disc degeneration, protrusion
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The protrusion of the L4/5 disc is highly likely to cause the main symptoms by compressing the spinal canal.
The slightly protruding disc at L3/4 is also likely to be the cause of the pain and numbness.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 25 minutes.
After taking a rest in the recovery room, since the patient was able to sit, stand, and walk without any problems, he walked home on his own.
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
