Column Case Report No. 172｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo) Column
October 7, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 70s
The patient’s medical history to date
2021: Lumbar compression fracture, pain continued for about a year, then improved
March 2024: The patient felt pain in the lower back, underwent an MRI, but only a lumbar compression fracture was detected.
The patient came to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lower back
Bending backward: No change
Lasegue test: positive, painful at 80 degrees
Tenderness: 3/4, 4/5, 5/s
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Aggravation when bending forward.
Images and findings
- L3/4 – spinal canal stenosis
- L1,5 – old compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4 – spinal canal stenosis was observed, and there is a high possibility that this is the cause of the main symptoms
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4
The treatment was performed by the Administrative Director of our clinic, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
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
