Column Treatment Case No.154｜ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
June 19, 2024
The patient
Male patient in his 70s
Patient’s medical evolution up to now
In 2004, he underwent surgery for disc herniation (5/s).
In October 2023, he began to feel a tingling in his lower back. He consulted a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
Since he was unable to get rid of the pain even after taking medicine, he decided to visit our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower back, right lower extremity
Forward bending: no change
Backward bending: triggering numbness
Lasegue test: Positive, numbness after 50 degrees
Tenderness: no
Intermittent claudication: no
Additional explanation of our medical examination
・Daily activities
Numbness in the right lower extremity occurs when the right buttock is stimulated.
Daily activities are somewhat difficult but bearable.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5,5/s-disc degeneration
The above is confirmed by the imaging.
・L4/5,5/s – disc protruding, most likely the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L4/5, and the PODD procedure was performed on L5/s as there was a high degree of inflammation.
Director Minowa performed the treatment.
This is an image of the Discogel after the injection.
The treatment took about 30 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
