Column Treatment Case Report No. 108｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
February 22, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had chronic back pain before, but in September 2024, his right hip joint suddenly began to be painful.
Since the pain did not go away and the back pain increased, he visited his local doctor and underwent an MRI scan.
He was diagnosed with a hernia and received conservative treatment.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
The pain used to be strongest in both lower limbs, but now the pain is stronger in both hip joints and on the back.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
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, buttocks.
Forward bending: No strong pain was observed.
Backward bending: No strong pain was observed.
Lasegue test: positive at a 45° angle on both sides
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on both sides, L5/6 on the right side, L6/s
Coughing and sneezing: dull pain
Standing on the heels: Feeling of cramps in the legs
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen with forward and backward bending.
The pain has been present with prolonged sitting for some time, but it has gradually become worse.
Imaging and findings
- Transitional vertebra
- L4/5, 5/6 – disc herniation
- L6/s – post herniation, stenosis of the right intervertebral foramen.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Disc herniation has compressed the spinal canal and is the most likely cause of pain.
Stenosis of the right foramen is is the most likely cause of symptoms being predominantly on the right side of the spine.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on discs L4/5, 5/6, and 6/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 35 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
