Column Treatment Progress No.168: A Patient Who Underwent Surgical Operation for Disc Herniation in the Past
May 07, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 30s
Treatment in February 2024. About 14 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
The patient exhibited disc herniation in the area indicated by the red frame (L3/4, 4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In her 20s, the patient developed a strained back right after sneezing, and had difficulty walking as a result. She also had symptoms of urinary incontinence and so underwent surgery.
In 2022, she suffered a recurrence.
She was treated with conservative therapy, but since there was a possibility that she would develop similar symptoms again, she decided to come to our clinic.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, both numbness and pain had decreased.
After 1 month, the patient was not experiencing any particular pain just as in the first week.
After 3 months, the patient experienced severe pain and numbness symptoms in the lower limbs during the second month. She took some medication and checked her condition, and it eventually improved. He felt a little discomfort, but was able to lead a pain-free life.
After 6 months, he started swimming and training his muscles. Since he started exercising, he has not experienced any symptoms, even with prolonged sitting.
This patient was treated both for preventing the recurrence of the symptoms caused by disc herniation as well as for improving his current symptoms.
We believe that Discogel was the best choice for this patient because of its ability to repair the cracks in the discs.
We are very happy that the patient is satisfied with the current improvement in his symptoms.
* 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
