Column Treatment Case Report No. 66｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
May 09, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In her 20 to 30’s, the patient had 3 episodes of strained back. since her 40’s an onward, the feeling of heaviness in her lower back has been persistent.
In 2018, numbness and pain appeared from her right hip to the base of her leg.
She visited an orthopedist who diagnosed her with spinal canal stenosis, and was treated with medication and rehabilitation. However, since the pain kept alternating between bad and better, she decided to come to our clinic for a consultation.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
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.
Bending forward: tension in the lower back
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: tension/pain in the erector spinae muscle on the left side
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms are aggravated when bending forward or carrying heavy objects.
The patient’s walking ability is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/6 – spinal canal stenosis
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6 – disc degeneration
- L4 – anterolisthesis
- L6 transitional vertebra
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4 – protrusion due to disc degeneration causing compression of the spinal canal.
・L4/5 and L5/s – spinal canal stenosis and foraminal stenosis in both intervertebral foramen were observed, and are 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 L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
L2/3 The treatment was performed from a preventive aspect at the request of the patient.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 35 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
