Column Case Report No. 93｜ ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
December 24, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been suffering from a strained back recurring once or twice a year, and had been receiving acupuncture treatment for about a year.
Although this does not interfere too much with his daily life, he would like to be treated in view of the future.
Symptoms before treatment
Numbness in the sole of the left foot and heaviness in the lower back, as well as either pain in the whole lower back, or pain on the left side.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 2 | 1 | 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 back, lower limbs
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Point of tenderness：L4/5,5/s on the left side
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: aggravation when he has a strained back
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Turning over in bed and washing one’s face are no problem. Sitting for a long time is somewhat difficult.
The patient’s lower back feels heavy the day after playing golf.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, 2/3 – disc degeneration, tear in the annulus fibrosus
- L4/5, 5/s – disc herniation, tear in the annulus fibrosus
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L1/2, 2/3 may have had disc herniation for some time now.
L4/5, 5/s has had repeated disc herniations, and is the most probable cause of the main symptoms.
The symptoms in the foot may be affected by 5/s.
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 45 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
