Column Treatment Progress No.36: a Patient Whose Strained Back Improved
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
Treated in December 2022. About 5 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
The patient was diagnosed with spinal stenosis in the area indicated by the red rectangle (disc L2/3, 3/4, 4/5).
The height of the vertebral disc L2/3 was low, so it was not eligible for treatment.
Evolution prior to treatment
In 2020, he started treatment at a orthopedic clinic but symptoms did not improve.
In October of 2022, when he walked for a long period of time, his buttocks and the lower part of his right leg would become painful.
In November 2022, walking became difficult after he slipped on a cliff.
He received two block injections at the nerve endings, but the pain came back after two weeks, so he decided to receive treatment at our clinic.
The treatment at our clinic
The patient was treated with the Cellgel method on 3 intervertebral discs (L1/2, 3/4 and 4/5).
Evolution consecutive to treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient himself rated the pain value of each area 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 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 |
| One week after treatment | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following comments were obtained from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain became worse than it was before treatment. The left side of his buttocks and his left leg hurt so much, it became difficult to walk.
After 1 month, he took some painkillers, but the pain had become much less severe.
After 3 months, even after walking for more than 10,000 steps, he did not feel the symptoms come back. He still feels some lingering pain in his lower back.
This is a patient who felt the effect of the treatment in a short amount of time.
We think that directly after the the treatment, the volume of the intervertebral disks increased and caused some strong pain.
As time passed, the compression of the discs that were sticking out gradually went away and the pain slowly subsided.
※ It takes about 3 weeks to 3 months to see the effect of the treatment.
※ The effect of the treatment varies from person to person. Please be aware that there is a possibility that the same effect may not be obtained.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Additional information about the Cellgel method we have introduced in this column.
Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per area (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen per 5 areas (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Nerve damage is not a zero possibility due to the very nature of the treatment, but there have been no reports of damage so far in either report cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to local anesthetics. 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 retracts the surrounding tissues. In addition, if the disc is almost completely collapsed, treatment may be difficult. The doctor hold a consultation with you during your visit to the clinic to determine the best treatment option for your condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
