Column Treatment progress Report No 123: a patient who was suffering from lower back pain and numbness
July 12, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 60’s
Treated in August 2023. About 11 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
The patient had spinal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L4/5,5/s).
Medical history before being treated / treatment
The patient used to have pain in her lower back as a result of sports activities throughout her school years.
Recently, numbness in her left lower limb became stronger than the pain in her lower back, and she consulted a local orthopedic surgeon, who diagnosed her with spinal stenosis.
After receiving block injections and other treatments with no apparent improvement, the patient decided to get treatment at our clinic.
Medical progress after treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient rated the pain value of each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| One week after treatment | 5 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up:
After one week, there is no significant improvement in the symptoms. The pain is especially bad when waking up.
After 1 month, the pain is gone, but the numbness is still present all the time.
After 3 months, numbness remains around the ankle as before. It does not bother her when she moves, but she feels numbness when she starts to move or when she stands still.
After 6 months, the pain is gone, and the numbness is a little less intense than it was 3 months ago.
The patient’s symptoms were likely caused by spinal stenosis.
The patient is still exercising actively, playing volleyball and going to the gym.
The numbness symptoms take time to diminish. The pain area has decreased, and the treatment is therefore considered to be a success. We suggest that you continue to exercise and see how things progress.
*It takes about 3 weeks to 3 months to see the full effects of the treatment.
* Effects in the treatment may vary according to individual differences. Please be aware that there is a possibility that the exact same effects may not be replicated every time.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Here is some additional information about the Cellgel method that we have presented here.
Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per site (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen for 5 sites (including tax)
Cost for this patient’s case: Cellgel performed in 2 areas = 1,430,000 yen (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Due to the very nature of the treatment, the possibility of nerve damage is not zero, but so far there have been no reports of damage in either reported cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to the local anesthetic. 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 pulls in the surrounding tissues. Also, if the disc is almost completely worn out, it may not be possible to treat it. The doctor will consult with you during your visit to determine the best treatment option for your condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
Column page explaining the Cellgel method in an easy-to-understand manner
Page of the Cellgel procedure at our clinic
This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic
