Column Treatment Case Report No. 93｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
August 07, 2023
Patient Case
The patient
A male patient in his 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2021, the patient suffered from his first strained back. He was put under observation and eventually recovered.
In 2022, his strained back injury recurred. He visited an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with disc herniation. Symptoms did not get better this time and have remained ever since.
In April 2023, he started a rehabilitation program.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 4 | 3 | 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, base of both legs.
Forward bending: Increased pain.
Backward bending: Increased pain in the lower back.
Lasegue test: positive at 50 degrees to the right.
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on both sides.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain increases when leaning forward to wash one’s face.
His walking ability is unaffected.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5 – findings of a cracked disc
- L1/2-5/s – symptoms of disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – the cracked disc is the probable cause of the recurring strained back.
・L3/4 – done as a preventive treatment because this is where the disc degeneration is the most severe.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
The Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
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 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
