Column Treatment Case Report No. 39｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
January 13, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 20s.
The patient’s medical history to date
- In 2016, the patient suffered injuries including a pelvic fracture due to a fall from a roof at work.
- In June 2022, he experienced acute low back pain (so-called “lumbago”), followed by numbness and pain in the left lower extremity.
- When asked to rate pain intensity on a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = minimum, 10 = maximum), the responses were:
- Lower back: 8
- Lower limb: 8
- Buttocks: 9
- Numbness: 9
- He is able to walk 100–500 meters, but finds the following movements difficult:
- Forward-bending posture and lifting heavy objects: very difficult
- Turning in bed, standing up, washing his face, long-duration sitting: somewhat difficult
Imaging and findings
- Intervertebral disc herniation was confirmed at L5/S.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on L5/S.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The injected material can be seen distributed throughout the disc.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk out of the clinic unaided.
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
