Column Treatment Case Report No. 46｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)

February 03, 2023

The patient

A male patient in his 60s.

Symptoms before treatment

• The patient has suffered from several episodes of strained back in the past.

• Around March 2020, he started feeling pain in his lower back. The pain subsided with the use of a block, but numbness and other symptoms remained.

• Symptoms are lower back pain on the left side and pain and numbness in the left lower limb.

• On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being minimum and 10 being the maximum pain imaginable), the pain is at 7 in the lower back, 2 in the lower limbs, 6 in the buttocks, and 9 for numbness.

• He is able to walk for more than 500m.

• Turning over in bed, standing up, and washing one’s face are no problem, but assuming a semi-crouched position and lifting heavy objects are very difficult. He also has some difficulty in sitting for long periods of time.

Imaging and findings

• Intervertebral disc degeneration was observed on discs L1/2, 2/3, and 3/4.
• Disc herniation was observed on disc L4/5.

・L1/2~3/4 – Intervertebral disc degeneration is present, and the disc height has decreased, so treatment was suggested from a conservative point of view.

・L4/5 – Disc herniation of the left disc was observed, which may be the cause of pain and numbness in the left lower back and lower limbs, so treatment was suggested accordingly.

Treatment

The Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.

This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.

The treatment took about 45 minutes.

After taking a break in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.

Today February 3rd, is the Setsubun Festival in Japan. The direction to throw the beans for good luck seems to be south-southeast this year.

From our clinic, it means facing in the direction of Haneda Airport.

I will have to play the role of the ogre for my children when I get home tonight.

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