Column Treatment Progress No. 110: a patient Who Was Suffering From Chronic Back Pain
April 26, 2024
The patient:
A male patient in his 40s
Treated in June 2023. Approximately 10 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frames (L4/5, 5/s).
Both L4/5 and 5/s show signs of cracks, and it is thought that a hernia occurred in those sites in the past.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
From 2019 onwards, the patient began to suffer repeated bouts of strained back.
In 2020, the patient visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a disc herniation in L4/5. The patient’s condition improved through block injections and rehabilitation done twice a week.
Immediately before treatment, the patient experienced pain and numbness in the lower limbs, and sitting for long periods of time was difficult. The pain in the lower back came and went in waves.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 2 | 8 | 7 |
| 1 week after treatment | 6 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 1 month after treatment | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
After 1 week, it was very painful just like during the treatment and I could still feel that same pain.
After 1 month, I didn’t feel refreshed, but I could feel that the level of my symptoms had decreased a little.
After 3 months, the symptoms had eased. He was thinking about being able to play sports soon.
After 6 months, he was hardly feeling any pain. He felt a tightness when standing or sitting for long periods.
In this case, the cause was intervertebral disc degeneration at L4/5 and 5/s.
As he felt pain during the treatment, the pain continued for a week or so after the treatment.
As for the treatment, the symptoms were alleviated due to the repair of the cracks and the decompression effect that ensued.
I think it would be best if he could exercise his body without overdoing it, such as playing sports for example.
* It takes about 3 weeks to 3 months to see the full effects of the treatment.
* Effects in the treatment may vary according to individual differences. Please be aware that there is a possibility that the exact same effects may not be replicated every time.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Here is some additional information about the Cellgel method that we have presented here.
Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per site (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen for 5 sites (including tax)
Cost for this patient’s case: Cellgel performed in 2 areas = 1,430,000 yen (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Due to the very nature of the treatment, the possibility of nerve damage is not zero, but so far there have been no reports of damage in either reported cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to the local anesthetic. 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 pulls in the surrounding tissues. Also, if the disc is almost completely worn out, it may not be possible to treat it. The doctor will consult with you during your visit to determine the best treatment option for your condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
Column page explaining the Cellgel method in an easy-to-understand manner
Page of the Cellgel procedure at our clinic
This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic
