Column Treatment Case Report No. 113｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
November 08, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In July 2023, he began to have low back pain and pain in his left lower extremity. The back pain occurred repeatedly several times.
He visited a local orthopedist, and was treated with rehabilitation and medication, but there was no significant improvement.
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 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
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 forward: limited to a 10 degree angle
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: positive at a 40 degrees angle on the left side, numbness in the posterior aspect of the thigh
Point of tenderness: near the spinous process of L3/4/5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain increases when getting up in the morning and when sitting for prolonged periods of time, such as when driving.
The patient’s ability to walk is fine for less than 100 m, but symptoms occur above that distance.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3 – Mild disc degeneration, prompting treatment from a preventative aspect.
・L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis, likely the cause of the primary symptoms.
・L5/s – substantial disc degeneration and protrusion of both intervertebral foramen stenosis, which may be the cause of symptoms.
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
