Column Treatment Case No.19｜ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
May 30, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 80’s
Patient’s medical history to date
He’s had pain in the back of the thighs for about 2 or 3 years. It goes away when he starts to walk.
Numbness in the back of the thighs and ankles appeared 2 or 3 months ago.
Since last month, he’s had numbness in the legs when he walks for 20 to 30 minutes.
He visited our clinic for improvement of his symptoms.
Symptoms prior to treatment
Pain in the lower back.
Numbness in the back of both thighs and ankles after exercising or walking.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain areas: lower back, lower extremities
Forward bending: possible
Backward bending: no symptoms, but some discomfort
Lasegue test: negative
Lumbar tender points: positive in L3/4, 4/5, 5/s
Additional explanation on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Painful when lying down in bed, but relieved in a sitting position.
Some difficulty when stooping or standing.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration and protrusion
- L4/5, 5/s-Intervertebral foramen magnum stenosis
- L4/5-Spinal canal stenosis
The above is confirmed by the imaging.
・L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal compression due to the disc protrusion and the narrowing of the intervertebral foramen in L4/5, 5/s are most likely the cause of the symptoms in the lower back and legs.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 45 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
