Column Treatment Case Report No. 108｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 23, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 40s, living in Indonesia.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2018, he underwent surgery for disc herniation on disc L3/4.
In November 2022, he started to have pain from his lower back to his left lower limb.
Currently, the patient has buttock pain and pain and numbness in the lower limbs depending on his posture.
He was referred to our clinic by an acquaintance.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
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 increases when sitting for long periods of time and when standing up.
Walking ability is not affected
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – disc degeneration
- L3/4, 4/5 – disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3 – Mild disc degeneration, from a preventive aspect.
・L3/4 and 4/5 – disc herniation, also a possible cause of the pain and numbness.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The following are images taken during treatment.
This is an image taken during disinfection.
An interpreter is present during the treatment so that our non-Japanese patients can receive the treatment smoothly.
The treatment took about 30 minutes.
After taking a break in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk back home by himself.
The father of this patient was also treated on the same day with the Cellgel method.
We sincerely hope that both of them will be able to improve their pain symptoms after coming all this way to Japan.
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
