Column Case Report No. 92｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
December 21, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had a recurring strained back for the past 10 years. He has chronic back pain, which is aggravated by long hours of driving and golfing.
He abstained from playing golf, but the back pain persisted. Although it tended to improve with rest so far, it has not gotten better this time around.
He came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
Pain in the right side of the lower back, buttock and side of the thigh.
・Pain level before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain and numbness areas – lower back – lower limbs
Forward bending: Possible
Backward bending: Possible
Tenderness point: None
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing & sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
∙ Daily activities
The patient is doing weight training.
Turning in bed and prolonged sitting are not problematic.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – disc degeneration, protrusion
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・There is a strong probability that the protruding disc is in contact with the nerve and causing the pain.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed at L2/3, 3/4, and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 35 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
