Column Treatment Case Report No. 56｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
March 20, 2023
The case of a patient who had been treated symptomatically with oral medication, but decision was made to stop it and be treated at our clinic instead.
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Two years ago, he began to experience numbness and pain from his lower back to the back of his knees.
He visited a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, which was treated with oral medication, but was stopped due to liver damage.
Currently, although his symptoms have gone down, he decided to come to our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
Walking ability is over 500m
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area – lower back to calf. The right side is more painful.
・Daily activities
It is very difficult for him to lift heavy objects.
He also has some difficulty standing up and sitting in a semi-crouched position.
Symptoms often become more severe in the evening.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L4 – anterolisthesis
- L3/4 and 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
・L3/4 and 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis wa, observed, and is the probable cause of the pain and numbness
・L5/s – Intervertebral disc degeneration and high loss of volume of the intervertebral disc were observed and may be the probable cause of the pain and numbness.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 30 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
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
