Column Treatment Case Report No. 97｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
January 14, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Every year, the patient’s back pain worsens at the beginning of spring. Outside of that period, he only feels discomfort.
He has suffered from a strained back once a year since he was around 40 years old. Block injections and painkillers have not been very effective.
In the spring of 2024, he was diagnosed with disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis.
The patient came to our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Low back pain worsens in early spring. Numbness in the outer thigh and right buttock.
Pain when bending forward and turning over.
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
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
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Point of tenderness: L4/5，5/s on the right side
Lasegue test: negative
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Intermittent claudication: present
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient has difficulty in bending forward, turning over in bed, and sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2 – disc herniation
- L4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration, protruding disc
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The main symptom is most likely due to compression of the spinal canal caused by disc herniation.
The protrusion of L4/5,5/s may be in contact with the nerve and cause the pain.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 30 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
