Column Treatment Progress No.71: A Patient Whose Pain Has Been Reduced to Less than Half of What it Was Before Treatment
October 04, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
Treated in February 2023. Approximately 7 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatment up to now
The patient had a protruding disc in the area indicated by the red frame (discs L3/4, 4/5, 5/s ).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In her 30s, she had recurring strained back problems following childbirth.
In December 2019, pain gradually began to occur across the lower back and buttocks.
In December 2020, she developed severe pain and numbness in her right toe to the point where she could not stand up. She visited her local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, disc herniation, and spondylolisthesis, and was treated with block injections and monitored.
In the summer of 2022, she began to experience numbness in her right calf and was recommended to have surgery before she reached the age of 70.
She visited our hospital for the purpose of receiving treatment on the same day.
Her walking ability was not affected in any way.
Treatment
Treatment was performed on the intervertebral discs in L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s using the Cellgel method.
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 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain appeared to have decreased by half.
After one month, symptoms had improved significantly. Numbness was only felt in the middle toe and the ring toe.
After 3 months, symptoms had improved even more in the previous 2 weeks. Numbness remained.
After 6 months, she was satisfied with the treatment because she felt so much better than before it.
This patient was worried about whether she would be able to get rid of the numbness because of her chronic medical conditions, but she is now happy because her symptoms are getting better by the day.
The pain and numbness have been reduced by more than half compared to prior to the treatment, so the patient herself is very pleased with the overall results.
The patient was also very happy to report that the symptoms of numbness, which she was most worried about, had decreased significantly.
* 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
