Column Treatment Case Report No. 115｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
November 15, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In April 2023, the patient had been experiencing lower back pain and numbness in her toes for some time, but it started to worsen at this date.
Due to another medical condition, she was hospitalized and had not been able to see her local orthopedic surgeon.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 8 | 10 | 3 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain areas – lower back, extremities of the toes
Forward bending: Aggravation of the pain
Backward bending: pain in the lower back
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: near the spinous processes of L3, 4, and 5
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain is more severe when bending at the waist or standing for a long time.
Walking ability is limited to 100-500m.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 5/s – spinal canal stenosis
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – intervertebral disc degeneration
- L4 – acute lumbar compression fracture
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3, 4/5 – done as a preventive measure due to disc degeneration.
・L3/4, 5/s – spinal canal stenosis was observed, and is the most likely cause of the main symptoms.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Due to the presence of the acute compression fracture of L4, we examined the patient again 3 months after the initial visit and decided to proceed with the treatment.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 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 25 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
