Column Treatment Case Report No. 103｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
September 15, 2023
Patient Case
The patient
A female patient in her 70’s, living in Russia.
The patient’s medical history to date
10 years ago, the patient was diagnosed with disc herniation. She was treated with medication and block injections, but no improvement was observed.
Currently, she is experiencing gradually increasing pain in her right lower limb.
She was referred to our clinic by an acquaintance.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain – lower back, right lower extremity.
Forward bending: no change
Backward bending: Pain in the lower back and buttocks
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: 3/4 on the right side, 4/5 on the right and left side
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain is most likely to occur when standing up from a sitting position.
Walking ability is compromised after a 100m.
The patient is exhibiting symptoms of intermittent claudication.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L1/2, 4/5, 5/s – stenosis of the intervertebral foramina on both sides
- Scoliosis
- L2/3, 3/4 – decreased height of the intervertebral discs
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L1/2 – Foraminal stenosis on both sides caused by disc protrusion and possible pain and numbness in the lower back and lower extremities.
・L4/5 and 5/s – both foramina are narrowed (mainly for the right nerve) due to disc protrusion (suspected disc herniation), and is possibly the main cause of 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 L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 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 45 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by herself.
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
