Column Treatment Case Report No. 85｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
July 05, 2023
Patient Case
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2020, the patient developed a strained back.
In May 2023, the pain in the lower back and left buttock to the lower limbs became more severe.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
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: disc L4/5 on the left side
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms aggravates with sudden movements and when sitting.
The patient walking ability is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L4/5 – disc herniation
- L6 – transitional vertebra
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4, 5/s – preventive treatment due to the advance of the disc degeneration
・L4/5 – disc herniation toward the left side, which may be the probable cause of the symptoms in the left lower limb.
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, Dr. Minowa.
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
