Column Treatment Case Report No. 76｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
June 06, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In January 2023, the patient experienced knee pain and underwent fluid draining at an orthopedic clinic, but this did not help. Around the same time, numbness began to appear between her left hip to her left toes.
After taking an MRI, she was diagnosed as having spinal canal stenosis. She was treated with medication and massages, but the symptoms did not improve and so she came to see our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain – left buttock to left foot tip, and both knees.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: tightness in the left knee.
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain aggravated when turning over in bed, standing up, and prolonged sitting.
The patient’s ability to walk is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5- disc herniation
- L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – disc herniation was observed and is the probable cause of the pain and numbness.
・L2/3, L3/4, and L5/s: disc degeneration and foraminal stenosis were also observed, indicated as a preventive 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 and 4/5.
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 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
