Column Treatment Progress No.39: a Relieved Patient Who had Recurrent Pain and Numbness
Patient
A female patient in her 70s.
Treated in December 2022. About 5 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
The patient had a slipped disc from the rear in the area indicated by the red rectangle (disc L4/5).
She also had degenerative disc disease and Foraminal stenosis in the L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5 intervertebral discs.
Evolution prior to treatment
From 2013, she started having pain and numbness in 4 year cycles.
In August 2022, when she sat still and cooled off in an air conditioned room, she started to feel numbness in her buttocks, the back of her thighs, her calves and the bottom of her feet so she consulted with an orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis and a slipped disc syndrome.
She was prescribed some medicine which helped her pain feel better, but after a month’s time, the symptoms reappeared and she visited 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 herself 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 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| One week after treatment | 5 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following comments were obtained from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, her right knee began to feel painful.
After 1 month, when walking long distances, she felt pain from her buttocks to behind her thighs.
After 3 months, even after walking around 20 minutes, she didn’t feel pain anymore.
After going for a light hike, her symptoms became worse.
In daily life, it seems as she does not feel pain anymore.
It’s a good thing to enjoy one’s hobbies. We will continue to follow up with her until she is recovered enough to enjoy her hobby of hiking.
※ 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:
