Column Treatment Case Report No. 102｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
September 12, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
10 years ago, the patient started to feel pain in her lower back.
Around 2021, she developed symptoms of numbness in her buttocks and lower limbs. She visited a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis. She took medication and monitored her condition.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
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, right lower limb.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain in the lower back when standing, in the buttocks and thighs when walking, and in the lower back and buttocks when bending her waist.
Ability to walk about 500 m at a slow pace.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L4/5, 5/s – intervertebral foraminal stenosis on both sides
- L5/s – anterolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5, 5/s – foraminal stenosis on both sides of the discs caused by disc protrusion, which is the probable cause of the pain and numbness in the lower back and lower limbs.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
After taking a rest in the recovery room, since the patient was able to sit, stand, and walk without any problems, she was allowed to walk home on her own.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Additional information about the Florence method we have just presented above.
Cost of the Florence method: 1,540,000 yen/one site (including tax) to 2,090,000 yen/2 sites (including tax)
Cost for this patient’s case: Florence method on one site = 1,540,000 yen (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Florence method: Although there are no reports of such cases in our own experience or in the literature, there is a possibility of damage to nerves, dura mater, and other surrounding tissues following the insertion of the spacer. There is a very small possibility of allergic reaction to the local anesthetic. There is a possibility of dislocation or fracture of the spinous process. Temporary urinary problems and allergic reactions may also occur.
Blog article explaining the Florence method in an easy-to-understand manner (in Japanese)
Our clinic’s page about the Florence Method
This article was written by the Administrative Director of the Clinic
