Column Treatment Case Report No. 72｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
May 26, 2023
Case of a patient who showed no improvement with the medication and rehabilitation prescribed at another hospital.
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In December 2022, the patient experienced dullness in her left leg that lasted for one week. She visited a nearby orthopedist and was diagnosed with sciatica. Painkillers and rehabilitation were not effective.
In January 2023, her symptoms further aggravated.
She decided to visit our clinic for treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
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, left lower limb.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: painful
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: disc 3/4 on the right side, disc 4/5 on the left side.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs when turning over in bed, standing up, and prolonged standing.
She can walk up to 100m, but needs to rest in the middle of the walk.
At night, the pain becomes worse when initiating walking.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L4/5 and 5/s – foraminal stenosis in both intervertebral foramina
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3 and 3/4 – disc degeneration and mild compression of the spinal canal are eligible for treatment.
・L4/5 and 5/s – compression of the spinal canal and stenosis of both intervertebral foramen, which is the probable cause of pain and numbness, and therefore is eligible for treatment.
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, 3/4, 4/5 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 20 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
