Column Case Report No. 86｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
December 03, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Since about 2 years ago, the patient had been experiencing pain in the lower legs when walking, sitting, and sleeping.
The symptoms gradually worsened, until a local doctor diagnosed spinal canal stenosis.
She came to our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Numbness and coldness from the knees down to the toes, pain and numbness in the left upper arm.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain and numbness: lower limbs
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Point of tenderness：none
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
No problem with turning over in bed or getting up.
Some difficulty when bending over or sitting for long periods.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a very high possibility of spinal canal compression causing the main symptoms due to the disc herniation at L4/5 and 5/s.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
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
