Column Treatment Report No.35 / ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
July 6, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 50s
Patient’s medical history to date
He had back pain in the past and, at times, had difficulty sitting or standing for long periods of time.
He used to receive physiotherapy at an orthopedic clinic.
Last June, he was diagnosed with a herniated disc at another hospital.
Medication, rehabilitation and hot pads provided some relief from the pain, but his legs still hurt.
The patient came to consult at our clinic seeking improvement of his symptoms.
Symptoms prior to treatment
He had pain in the left hip and front and back of the lower legs,
The pain was particularly strong in the legs, with no numbness.
・Pain levels before treatment
Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Pain level | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of numbness: lower back, legs
![](https://ilclinic.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-8.png)
Forward bending: Possible
Backward bending: Triggers pain in the left hip and lower limbs
Lasegue test: negative
Pressure point: Left L3/4
Standing on tiptoe: Weakness in the left leg
Additional explanations about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walking for about 300 meters causes pain.
Some difficulty in maintaining an upright position.
Images and Findings
![](https://ilclinic.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-18-1024x730.png)
- L4/5 – Disc degeneration, protrusion, and facet arthritis
- L5/S-Disc herniation
The above is confirmed by the imaging.
・There is a high probability that the cause of the symptoms is due to disc herniation in L4/5 and 5/S- and the resulting compression of the spinal canal.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
![](https://en.ilclinic.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Before-injecting-Discogel-4.png)
The treatment took about 50 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