Column Treatment Case Report No. 130｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
April 24, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Over 10 years ago, the patient fractured her right hip and had surgery, and since then, her back condition has been deteriorating.
5 years ago, she was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. She was told that she should observe her condition and take oral medication instead of having surgery.
Symptoms in the right lower limb gradually aggravated.
3 years ago, she experienced symptoms similar to sciatica. The symptoms improved with block injections.
The patient is afraid of having surgery.
The patient came to our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Numbness in the entire right lower extremity. Symptoms aggravated when walking.
She was only able to walk continuously for less than 50 meters. She had symptoms of intermittent claudication.
Turning over in bed: very difficult
Standing up: very difficult
Washing one’s face: no problem
Prolonged standing and semi-crouched position: very difficult
Prolonged sitting: very difficult
Lifting and carrying heavy objects: extremely difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 7 | 10 | 1 |
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, right lower limb.
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Lasegue test: negative
MMT: full
Lumbar point of tenderness: none
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L1/2 – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L2/3 – disc degeneration, protrusion, spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4 – disc degeneration, protrusion, spinal canal stenosis, old compression fracture
- L4/5 – disc degeneration, protrusion, spinal canal stenosis and foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings show that compression of the spinal canal on discs L2/3, 3/4, and 4/5 are the probable cause of the symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 45 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
