Column Treatment Case Report No. 69｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
May 17, 2023
Case of a patient who had a recurrence after surgery for disc herniation at another hospital
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 1996, the patient underwent surgery for disc herniation of L4/5 and 5/s.
In 2016, his condition recurred. Although he considered having fusion surgery, he decided against it because his pain had subsided.
In 2019 and subsequently, he received nerve block once a month (until March 2023).
Currently, he has difficulty sleeping in the same position in bed, and pain appears in his right hip every time he turns over.
He experiences severe pain when he wakes up in the morning.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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, predominantly on the right side.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: limited mobility
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occured when bending at the waist, such as when sleeping, carrying a load, weeding, and the like.
The patient’s walking ability is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 and 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
- L6 transitional vertebra
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 6/s – disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4 and 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed and is a probable cause of the pain.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 20 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
