Column Treatment Case Report No. 68｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
May 15, 2023
Patient Case
The patient
A male patient in his 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In August 2022, the patient experienced discomfort in his lower back. He consulted a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with disc herniation on disc L5/s.
In January 2023, he underwent acupuncture and physical therapy, and his pain disappeared completely.
In February 2023, the pain recurred. He received nerve root block and medication, but since his symptoms remained the same, he decided to visit our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, lower limbs.
Main area of pain and numbness: from the left buttock to the back of the left lower limb.
Bending forward: pain in the left buttock.
Bending backward: numbness in the left lower limb
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms aggravated when sleeping or sitting.
The patient is unable to drive.
The patient Walking ability is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration ( mild in 3/4 and 4/5)
- L5/s- disc herniation on the left side
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3- disc degeneration and progressive loss of disc height, suggesting treatment as a conservative measure.
・L5/s- disc herniation was observed, and is the 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 L2/3 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 25 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
