Column Treatment Case Report No. 189｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
January 29, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient experienced lower back pain at the time of childbirth and after prolonged standing, and was often unable to stand up.
She visited her local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
After receiving block injections and rehabilitation with no visible improvement, she decided to come to our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
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, both lower limbs.
Bending forward: no change
Backward bending: Aggravation of lower back pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on the right side, 3/4 on the right side, L4 at the spinous process
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen after 5 minutes of upright standing.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L1/2,2/3,3/4,4/5,5/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed and is the probable cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
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
