Column Treatment Progress Report No.159: A Patient Whose Symptoms Temporarily Worsened but Eventually Disappeared 6 Months After Treatment
March 12, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
Treated in December 2023. About 12 months have passed since the treatment.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has spinal canal stenosis in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs L1/2, 2/3, 3/4).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
The patient has had back pain for a long time, but from August 2023, pain began to appear in the lower limbs as well.
He visited a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
He came to our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Post-treatment progress
The following is a chart in which the patient rated each area of pain 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 | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 2 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient was able to lead his life without pain.
After one month, he was still pain-free and very satisfied with the result.
After 3 months, he had pain in his back caused by excessive physical exercise.
After 6 months, the symptoms worsened temporarily, but after about a month, he was no longer in pain.
After 12 months, the patient is pain-free and continues to stretch and take walks on a daily basis.
This patient’s symptoms are thought to have been mainly caused by spinal canal stenosis.
The Cellgel Method may temporarily aggravate the symptoms in the process of treatment. This was the case with the temporary aggravation at the 6-month follow-up this time.
Symptoms may worsen during the treatment process, or the patient may remain in good condition, depending on the individual. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
* It takes approximately 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
