Column Treatment Progress No.120: a patient who saw improvement in the numbness caused by spinal canal stenosis
June 28, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70’s
he was treated in August 2023, so about 10 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
The patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame in the picture (L3/4, 4/5).
Medical history before being treated and treatment
The patient developed a strained back between his 40’s and 50’s. He developed pain in his right leg 7 years ago, but the symptoms disappeared after about a month of observation.
Two years ago, he felt pain in his left lower limb when he woke up and could not move, so he went to see an orthopedic surgeon at his local doctor’s office. No specific name was given to him for the condition, and the symptoms improved to some extent with medication and block injections.
One year ago, he underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a herniated disc. Surgery was suggested, but the patient did not wish to undergo surgery, so he visited our clinic and received treatment from us instead.
Progress after 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 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| One week after treatment | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 months after treatment | – | 1 | 2 | 0 |
The following is the feedback obtained from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
At the 1-week mark, no pain, but still felt a little swollen.
At the 1-month follow-up, he was feeling pain in the buttocks when walking. There was no problem in his daily life as long as he took his painkillers.
After 3 months had elapsed, he still had occasional pain in his lower back and buttocks, and numbness in his left leg, but it was becoming less and less severe.
After 6 months had passed, he was able to walk without problems, and both the pain and numbness were getting better.
(The patient had a compression fracture in a different location than the one treated, and the origin of the pain in the lower back could not be ascertained, so this part of the report was left blank.)
This patient’s symptoms are thought to have been caused by spinal canal stenosis.
We are glad that the symptoms of pain and numbness in the lower limbs, which had been bothering him for many years, have improved. We are grateful that you have been actively engaged in rehabilitation and exercise on your own.
At the same time, it is unfortunate that you suffered a compression fracture in another part of the body.
Since bone density cannot increase by itself, we wish you to be able to continue to lead your daily life without straining yourself too much.
*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.
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
