Column Treatment Case Report No. 77｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
June 9, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2015, the patient suddenly developed pain in his lower back. He visited an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. He received medication and rehabilitation, but his symptoms did not improve.
In the fall of 2022, he developed numbness in his left lower limb. Block injections were administered, but did not lead to any improvement. When he went for a second opinion, he was recommended to undergo surgery.
Since he was unwilling to undergo surgery, he came to see us instead.
Symptoms before treatment
・ Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 8 | 8 | 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: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Slight pain when turning over in bed, getting up, washing one’s face, and sitting in a semi-crouched position .
Difficulty in carrying heavy loads.
The patient’s walking ability is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L4-Anterolisthesis
- L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis was observed and is the probable cause of the pain and numbness.
・L3/4 and L5/s – disc degeneration and foraminal stenosis may also be present, and may be considered as a preventive measure.
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, 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 35 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
