Column Treatment Case Report No. 190｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
February 05, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around 2010, the patient experienced pain in her lower back when standing up from a chair.
Recently, her walking distance has decreased and become slower.
She had not been to an orthopedic surgeon before, only had consulted an acupuncture and moxibustion clinic so far.
She came to our clinic as there was no improvement in her condition.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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
Bending forward: pain in the lower back
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: positive, low back pain felt upon elevation to the right
Point of tenderness: L3/4 on the left side
Intermittent claudication: rest is needed after walking for 10m or less.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain worsens during walking.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5,5/s – protrusion from the intervertebral disc is causing narrowing of the intervertebral foramen, which is the probable cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method 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
