Column Treatment Progress No.45 Patient who improved to the point where she could play sports after treatment
Patient
Female in her 60s
Treated in November 2022. About 9 months have passed since the treatment at the time of this interview
Symptoms and treatment
The patient had spinal canal stenosis in the L4/5 intervertebral disc that can be seen in the red rectangle above.
In addition, L1/2~5/s has intervertebral disc degeneration.
L4 is showing spondylolisthesis towards the front.
Evolution prior to treatment
In March 2022, Pain appeared in her lower back. She consulted an orthopedic surgeon, was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis, began rehabilitation, and recovered to a level where she could live a normal life.
September 2023: Symptoms worsened.
She learned about our clinic and decided to visit us for treatment.
The treatment at our clinic
The treatment was performed on a total of three intervertebral discs, L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s, using the cellgel method.
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 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
| One week after treatment | 9 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
The following comments were obtained from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, she said that 3-4 days after the treatment, her symptoms got better.
After 1 month, the pain was the worst when she woke up in the morning, but it got a little better throughout the day.
After 3 months, she was able to live without taking painkillers. Her calves and lower knees may feel tense from around noon.
After 6 months, the level of pain when she woke up in the morning had improved. In the afternoon, she started to feel pain in my lower back and right lower leg.
The patient this time had high levels of pain before the treatment, but saw an improvement almost immediately.
After the treatment, the pain level did not completely disappear, but it gradually decreased.
Six months after treatment, the patient has improved enough to start playing tennis and aquatics.
We hope that her pain level will decrease over time and that your symptoms will improve as you build muscle through sports.
※ 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: 1,420,000 yen per area (including tax) to 1,860,000 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:
