Column Treatment Case Report No. 109｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 25, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
10 years ago, she began to complain of pain from both buttocks down to the posterior aspect of her lower limbs.
She consulted a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
In 2022, the symptoms evolved from pain to numbness.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 3 | 8 | 7 |
* Usually at 5, rising to 10 when painful.
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, numbness in both lower limbs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: near the spinous process of L3/4/5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Prolonged standing. Pain occurs when bending or twisting at the waist.
Walking ability is not affected
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed, and may be the main cause of the pain felt from the buttocks to the lower extremities, and numbness in the lower extremities.
・L5/s – intervertebral foramen stenosis due to disc protrusion, treated for the alleviation of the symptoms and from a preventative aspect.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
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
