Column Treatment Case Report No. 116｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
March 18, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been feeling discomfort in her lower back for a long time.
She played volleyball in elementary and middle school and tennis in high school. Currently, she practices yoga.
4 months ago, her condition worsened after she moved a cabinet.
She visited her local doctor and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. She undergoes rehabilitation once a week.
Symptoms change from day to day.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Back pain, left buttock pain, left hip pain, pain and numbness in the outer sides of both knees, numbness in the soles of both feet.
Turning over in bed: no difficulty
Standing up: somewhat difficult
Washing one’s face: Slightly difficult
Prolonged standing and semi-crouched posture: somewhat difficult
Prolonged sitting: no difficulty
Lifting and carrying heavy objects: somewhat difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
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.
Forward bending: can do it pretty much, but with some pain in the buttocks and left hip joint.
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: mild discomfort in the left hip at 70 degrees on the left side
MMT: full
Point of tenderness: disc L5/s on the left side
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 – disc degeneration, protrusion, mild spinal canal stenosis
- L4/5 – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion, disc herniation on the right side
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on the findings, compression of the spinal canal on discs L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s is the most probable cause of the low back pain.
Spinal canal stenosis at L3/4 is the probable cause of the symptoms in the lower extremities.
Imbalance due to disc herniation of disc L5/s on the right side is a probable cause of the pain in the left hip joint.
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. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 40 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
