Column Treatment Case Report No. 59｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
April 1, 2023
The case of a patient who was treated at our clinic because pain moved to another part of the body despite continued symptomatic treatment.
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been experiencing pain in her lower back since she was young.
Five to six years ago, she began to have pain in her right buttock, so she visited an orthopedic surgeon, who diagnosed her with spinal canal stenosis.
Around 2022, she also began to have pain behind her right knee.
After symptomatic treatments such as rehabilitation did not improve her pain, she decided to come to our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, right buttock, back of the right knee.
Bending forward: cramping of the right limb
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: buttock on the right side cramps at 80 degrees on the right leg.
Point of tenderness: heaviness in the right lower limb from 3/4 to 5/s on the right side.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient has difficulty with daily activities such as washing one’s face, sitting in a semi-crouched position, and prolonged sitting.
She has difficulty walking and has intermittent claudication.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L5/s – foraminal stenosis in both intervertebral foramina
- L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
・Spinal canal stenosis L3/4, 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed, and is a probable cause of the pain and numbness
・L5/s- disc degeneration and stenosis of both intervertebral foramen, from a therapeutic point of view.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on discs 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 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
