Column Treatment Case Report No. 53｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
March 04, 2023
The case of a patient who had been suggested surgery in the past, but was reluctant about it, so she came to our clinic for consultation and treatment.
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2015, the patient began to have symptoms of back pain, consulted an orthopedic surgeon, was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, and was treated conservatively with medical therapy.
Around August 2022, she began to have pain in her right lower limb and buttock, so surgery was proposed, but she wasn’t so sure about it and decided against it.
Around January 2023, she began to have pain just standing up and decided to come to our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
The patient was able to walk up to 100 m.
Symptoms intensified when walking.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: The main area of pain – buttock pain more on the right side, lower limb pain in the right thigh, and numbness was present in the right lower limb.
・Daily activities
The patient has some difficulty in turning over in bed, standing up, fully extending the lower back, semi-crouched posture, and lifting heavy objects.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L3 – anterolisthesis causing spinal canal stenosis in L3/4
- L3/4 – disc herniation
・L2/3,5/s – conservative treatment because of the disc degeneration.
・L3/4 – midline herniation and spinal canal stenosis were observed, and may be the probable cause of the present pain.
・L4/5 – disc degeneration and stenosis of the left intervertebral foramen, may be the probable cause of the pain.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment was completed without any pain.
The treatment took about 35 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
We have recently heard from many patients telling us as soon as the treatment was over that they felt relief to have a nurse hold their hand .
We appreciate that our staff members all support our patients the best they can.
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
