Column Treatment Progress No.112: a patient who was prevented from being cured completely due to a pre-existing chronic disease, but is still very satisfied with our treatment
May 20, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s
Treated in June 2023. About 11 months have passed since the treatment
Symptoms and treatment
The patient was suffering from spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L4/5,5/s).
Evolution and symptoms before the treatment
Five to six years ago, the patient began experiencing symptoms of intermittent claudication, and when she visited her local orthopedic surgeon, she was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
She took some medication and things settled down to some point, but the symptoms remained.
Two years ago, she suffered from a strained back, for which she was prescribed medication, but it did not lead to any significant improvement.
She came to see us seeking relief from her symptoms.
Progress after the treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient rated the pain value of each part on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
The following are insights from the patient when contacted for follow-up:
At 1 week follow-up, symptoms were unchanged compared to pre-treatment.
After 1 month, the symptoms of numbness were gone, but the other symptoms remained unchanged.
After 3 months, the pain was the same, but she was glad she did the treatment. She is now able to go on trips.
After 6 months, it is now thought that the symptoms in her lower limbs are caused by rheumatism in her knees. Apart from that, she feels much better than before the treatment.
The cause of the symptoms for this patient is thought to be due spinal stenosis in L4/5 and 5/s.
Although the pain in the knees could not be eliminated due to her pre-existing condition, the patient is still very satisfied with the treatment.
Due to her chronic disease, she is still not able to exercise, but is now able to walk as much as she could before her condition worsened.
It usually takes about 3 weeks to 3 months to see the full effects of the treatment.
The effect of the treatment may vary from person to person. Please be aware that there is a possibility that the same effect may not be obtained.
The patient was moved to the recovery room to rest, after which he was able to walk home on his own.
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. Nerve damage is a non-zero possibility due to the nature of the treatment, but there have been no reports of damage in either autopsy cases or in 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. In addition, 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
