Column Treatment Progress Report No.122: A patient whose symptoms improved immediately after treatment with a good prognosis
July 8, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in June 2023: About 12 months have passed since his treatment.
Symptoms and Treatment
This patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5).
The patient’s medical history before treatment / the treatment
He underwent surgery for a herniated disc at L4/5 8 years ago.
One year ago, he began to feel numbness in both lower legs and discomfort in the soles of his feet.
After the symptoms appeared, he tried medication and rehabilitation, but as there was no improvement, he visited our clinic for treatment.
Post-treatment progress
This is a chart in which the patient rates the pain in each part of his body 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 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The following are the comments from the patient when contacted for follow-up:
After 1 week, I still felt a strange sensation on the soles of my feet, but the pain I felt before the treatment was gone.
After one month, the numbness in my lower legs had changed to a discomfort only. My left hip was still tingling and aching.
After 3 months, I was able to resume playing golf. Before treatment, my right ankle was cold, but now it is warm again.
After 6 months, even though some numbness and discomfort in both lower limbs still remain, it has improved a lot compared to before the treatment.
In this case, it is thought that the symptoms were caused by protrusion due to intervertebral disc degeneration.
The immediate effect of the treatment is thought to be similar to a block injection. The subsequent long-term improvement in the condition condition of the patient can be attributed to the replacement of the disc by the Cellgel.
We also think that the patient’s decision to follow the rehabilitation program we recommended led to an improvement in blood circulation. We think that this is why the ankle on the right foot now feels warmer.
*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. 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
