Column Treatment Case Report No. 106｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 03, 2023
Patient Case
The patient
A male patient in his 70s, living in China.
The patient’s medical history to date
3 years ago, the patient fell down a flight of stairs and injured his buttocks. 1 month later, pain started in the left buttock and then in the lower back as well.
He visited his local doctor and was diagnosed as having spinal canal stenosis, and was treated with medication and rehabilitation.
Currently, there is no improvement in pain. He still has residual symptoms.
He was referred to our clinic by an acquaintance.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
* Pain is rated 5 in daily life, and at 10 when pain occurs.
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, left buttock.
Forward bending: Tension in the left hip
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain worsens with prolonged sitting and standing.
Pain in the lower back is interfering with daily activities.
Walking ability is not affected in any way.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – degeneration of the intervertebral discs
- L5/s – disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L5/s – herniation in the left posterior region is a probable cause of the pain in the lower back and buttocks.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L5/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 20 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
