Column Treatment Case Report No. 62｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
April 18, 2023
The case of a patient on whom medication and physical therapy did not work and who later received treatment at our clinic.
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
3 years ago, after feeling pain in his lower back, the patient consulted an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with disc herniation.
He was treated symptomatically with medication and physical therapy, but in the fall of 2022, he suddenly felt severe pain in his lower back and right lower limb while stretching.
Despite receiving nerve blocks and medication, the pain did not improve and so he decided to come to our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, lower limbs.
Main area of pain and numbness: lower back, right thigh, back of knee. Numbness in both toes.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness:disc 4/5 on the left and right sides
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Some difficulty in washing one’s face, sitting in a semi-crouched position, and lifting heavy objects.
The patient is able to walk for a distance of 400 to 500m, but with intermittent claudication.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 and 5/s – disc herniation
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L4/5 and 5/s – foraminal stenosis on both sides
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 and 5/s – disc herniation was observed, and may be the probable cause of the main symptoms of pain and numbness due to foraminal stenosis.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the needle inserted into the intervertebral disc.
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
