Column Treatment Report No.156｜ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
July 01, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70’s
The patient’s medical history so far
He has had back pain for a long time, but it gradually worsened 7 or 8 years ago.
When he visited an orthopedic surgeon, he was diagnosed as having spondylolisthesis. He took medication, but it only made him temporarily better.
Surgery was suggested to him, but he refused because he does not want to go under the knife.
He visited our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms prior to treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain areas: both sides of the hip
Forward bending: no change
Backward bending: no change
Lasegue test: Positive (numbness at 70 degrees)
Tenderness: around the spinous process in L4
Intermittent claudication: Yes (after about 50 to 60 m walking)
Additional explanation about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain worsens with prolonged standing and prolonged walking.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4,4/5-Spinal canal stenosis
- L1/2,2/3,3/4,4/5,5/s-Degeneration of the intervertebral discs
- L4/5-spondylolisthesis
The above is confirmed by the imaging.
・L3/4,4/5-Spinal canal stenosis, which is the most likely cause of the main symptoms.
・L5/s – protrusion due to disc degeneration is confirmed and is a possible cause of the 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. Kono.
The image below shows the Discogel after 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
