Column Treatment Case Report No. 98｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
August 28, 2023
Patient case
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
10 years ago, the patient started having pain in the buttocks. The painful area shifted position over time.
5 years ago, he experienced pain in his buttocks and visited his local orthopedist, who diagnosed him with a spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis. He was given medication for it and the pain eventually subsided.
In August 2023, the pain started to recur and he decided to come to our clinic.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 0 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10. Main areas of pain and numbness: left buttock
Bending forward: no change
Backward bending: pain in the left buttock.
Lasegue test: positive at 80 degrees on both left and right sides.
Point of tenderness: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs when stretching.
He is able to walk only 500m or less.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3- disc herniation
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration
- L3/4, 4/5-Spinal canal stenosis
- L4/5-Mild anterolisthesis
- L3/4 – loss of volume of the disc
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L2/3 – disc herniation, possible cause of pain in the lower back area
・L3/4 and 4/5 – spinal canal stenosis, which is also a possible cause of the pain in the lower back and lower extremities (although there is a high probability that height attenuation in disc 3/4s will hinder penetration of the needle and reduce the effectiveness of the treatment).
・L5/s – as a preventive treatment due to disc degeneration.
Based on the examination and imaging findings, we proposed the above treatment.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 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 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
