Column Treatment Case Report No. 106｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
February 15, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient underwent fusion surgery around 2018, and his back pain intensified around 2023.
He was treated at another hospital and his back pain temporarily improved, but recently his symptoms flared up again.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Low back pain, numbness in the left lower limb
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
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, lower limbs.
Bending backward: no change
Bending forward: painful
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L3/L4
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Turning over in bed and standing up pose no problem at all.
Slight difficulty in remaining in a standing position and prolonged sitting.
The patient performs sit-ups and other exercises at home.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L4/5 – post-operative fusion surgery
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The protruding discs of L3/4 and 4/5, located above and below where the fusion surgery was performed, are likely to compress the spinal canal and be the cause of the pain and numbness.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 30 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
