Column Treatment Case Report No. 51｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
February 22, 2023
The case of a patient who suffered from recurrent pain consecutive to disc laser therapy
The patient
A female patient in her 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
- In 2019, the patient’s symptoms diminished following disc laser therapy.
- Around October 2022, the patient began to experience pain in the lower back and numbness in the right lower limb.
- On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being minimal and 10 being maximal pain), the pain is 10 in the lower back and numbness is 3.
- The patient is able to walk more than 500 m.
- She can easily stand up and wash her face, but has great difficulty in semi-crouched position, prolonged sitting, and when lifting heavy objects. She also has some difficulty in turning over in bed.
Symptoms before treatment
- L4/5 and 5/s – disc herniation was observed.
・L4/5 – midline disc herniation was observed, which may be the probable cause of the back pain and the numbness in the lower limbs, for which we recommended treatment.
・L5/s – midline disc herniation was found, which may be the probable cause of the back pain and the numbness in the lower limbs, for which we recommended treatment.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
Because pain occurred at the time of injection, we proceeded slowly with regular intervals between the injection.
The treatment took about 40 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
