Column Treatment Progress Report No.128: A Patient who Felt Pain When Waking up Every Morning
August 21, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 80’s
Treated in September 2023. About 11 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient has spinal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L3/4).
In addition, L4/5 and 5/s had disc degeneration.
Pre-treatment history and treatment
The patient first had back pain in 2018, visited an orthopedic surgeon, and was treated with painkillers and placed under observation.
In 2023, the same symptoms reappeared. She visited a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and herniated disc.
She has had multiple block injections but alternated getting better and worse.
She came to our clinic seeking a fundamental cure.
Progress after treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient himself rated the pain value of each part on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Hips | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| One week after treatment | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The following is the feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up:
At the 1-week follow-up, pain was strongest upon waking up, but symptoms subsided soon after.
After 1 month, pain decreased both on waking and on a daily basis as compared to before treatment.
At the 3 months mark, the patient had some pain when waking up, but it disappeared after about 30 minutes.
At the 6 months mark, the patient felt the same as at 3 months, but the pain level had decreased some more.
This patient’s main symptoms were probably caused by spinal stenosis.
It is thought that the pain occurs upon waking up because of reduced blood circulation at around bedtime.
The patient’s symptoms are relieved within 30 to 60 minutes after waking up, which is thought to be because moving improves blood flow and makes the pain disappear.
The patient was also very pleased to be able to lead a symptom-free life during the day.
* 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
