May 25, 2024

The patient

　A female patient in her 80s

The patient’s evolution to date

This patient suffered a compression fracture about 8 years ago and underwent vertebroplasty surgery.

　After the surgery, she developed back pain.

　About 6 months ago, the pain became stronger, and numbness started to occur.

　She came to our clinic to improve her symptoms.

Symptoms before the treatment

　Mild pain when waking up.

　Pain and numbness in left knee and calf.

　Pain worsens when standing up and walking.

　Fatigue occurs after only a few seconds.

・Pain level before treatment

No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.

Main pain area: lower extremities

　Lasegue test: positive at a 45 degrees angle on the left

　Lumbar tenderness points: positive at left L3/4, right L4/5, right L5/s

　Coughing and sneezing: no effect

　Standing on tiptoe and heels: possible

Additional explanations about our medical examination

・Daily activities

Turning one’s body and washing one’s face are done easily.

　No difficulty sleeping at night.

Imaging and findings

• L1- An ancient compression fracture was observed.
• L3/4, 4/5, 5/s-Degeneration and protruding of the intervertebral discs.

・L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s – disc protrusion, likely due to spinal canal compression and L5/s intervertebral foramen stenosis as the primary cause of symptoms.

Treatment

After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.

The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　After the DiscoGel injection

The treatment took about 60 minutes

The patient was moved to the recovery room to rest for some time, after which he was able to walk 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