Column Treatment Case Report No. 83｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
June 30, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In his 30’s, he experienced lower back pain and a strained back, but endured the pain.
Ten years ago, he first developed numbness in his left lower limb and numbness in the soles of his feet on both sides. He consulted a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis.
Currently, the numbness is so severe that he is unable to walk 500 meters.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 10 | 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.
Forward bending: pain at the front of the left lower extremity.
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: no change.
Point of tenderness: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain aggravated with prolonged walking, standing, and standing up.
Intermittent claudication was observed after walking for 100 to 500m.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 – spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4 – spinal canal stenosis was observed and is the probable cause of the pain, numbness, and intermittent claudication.
・L4/5,5/s – foraminal stenosis was observed, and is a probable cause of the pain and numbness in the lower limbs.
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 45 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
