Column Treatment Case Report No. 119｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
March 27, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
About a month ago, the patient suddenly became unable to get up and walk due to pain.
The pain was started from the lower back and spread throughout the entire back in the vicinity of the spine.
She visited her local doctor who treated her with acupressure and other treatments, but she saw no improvement.
She came to our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
No leg pain.
Turning over in bed: very difficult
Standing up: somewhat difficult
Washing one’s face: no difficulty
Prolonged semi-crouched and standing position: somewhat difficult
Prolonged sitting: somewhat difficult
Lifting and carrying heavy objects: somewhat difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: lumbar region
Forward bending: possible, but painful during the return movement
Backward bending: Almost impossible due to aggravated pain
Lasegue test: pain is so severe that the patient cannot lie on his back.
Lumbar point of tenderness: L1/2, 2/3
Coughing and sneezing: the patient must lean forward due to the aggravation of pain.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- Th11 – compression fracture
- L1/2, 5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – disc degeneration, protrusion, spinal canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc findings show compression of the spinal canal at L2/4, 3/4, and 4/5 are the most probable cause of the patient’s low back pain.
Compression fracture of Th11 is also a probable cause of the back pain.
Disc findings at L1/2 and 5/s were less conclusive.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on discs L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 75 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
