Column Case Report No. 87｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
December 5, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 20s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had chronic lower back pain for five years. He developed a strained back in 2023.
The pain worsened about 3 months ago, and he also developed symptoms in his lower limbs.
He visited our clinic seeking improvement of his symptoms.
The patient’s medical history to date
Pain in the lower back, numbness in the right lower limb. Recently, the left lower limb has also begun to feel numb.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 0 | 6 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower back, lower limbs
Bending forward: difficult
Bending backward: possible
Points of tenderness: L4/5, 5/s on both sides
Lasegue test: positive at 45 degrees on both sides
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Turning over in bed is not a problem. It is a little difficult to stand up from a sitting position or to sit for a long time.
Washing one’s face is very difficult.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – Mild degenerative hernia
- L5/s – Degenerative hernia
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a very high possibility that the disc herniation at L4/5 and L5/s is the cause of nerve compression, pain and numbness.
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
