Column Treatment Report No.38｜ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
July 13, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 50s
The patient’s medical history to date
Continuous numbness in her left lower limb for about 4 years.
Last month, she suffered a strained back, after which she was diagnosed with disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis.
She was told that if there was no improvement with conservative treatment, she would have to undergo surgery.
She came to our clinic seeking improvement of her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
When she stands a long time, leans forward, stands and sits down repeatedly, she feels pain and numbness in her left buttock, the back of her thigh, the outside of her thigh, calf, and sole of her foot.
Lately, she’s had sensory loss in the lower right leg.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back and lower limbs
Forward bending: Possible
Backward bending: Slightly painful
Lasegue test: Negative
Tender points: positive in L3/4 and 4/5
Coughing, sneezing: Painful
Standing on heels: Unable to do so since last month
Additional explanation about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain when turning over in bed.
Some midback pain, alleviated by slightly leaning forward.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5-Degeneration and protrusion of the intervertebral disc
The above is confirmed by the imaging.
・L4/5- Disc protrusion and compression of the spinal canal are the most likely causes of the symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 25 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
