Column Treatment Progress Report No.103: a Patient Whose Long-standing Numbness Symptoms Have Disappeared Completely
March 15, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in May 2023. Approximately 9 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments
This patient was found to have a herniated disc at the site indicated by the red frame (L4/5).
In addition, Modic type 1 was also observed in L4/5.
L2/3, 3/4, and 5/s were also found to have disc degeneration, making them eligible for treatment.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In her 50s, the patient began to feel pain in her lower back.
In October 2022, she began to experience numbness in her left lower limb. She visited a local orthopedic clinic, where she received a nerve block injection and underwent rehabilitation, but her condition failed to improve.
She visited our clinic seeking to improve her condition.
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 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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, the left side of her knee was slightly numb. However, she felt no pain even after long periods of walking.
After one month, the numbness had almost completely disappeared.
After 3 months, the symptoms had completely disappeared.
After 6 months, she was able to sit cross-legged and even run, which felt like a dream come true to her.
In this case, we believe that spinal canal stenosis in L4/5 was the cause of the numbness.
The patient also experienced the positive effects of the Cellgel Method, but she also felt that the stretching exercises she did at our in-house rehabilitation facility helped to make their hips more flexible and improve her body balance.
We think that the positive attitude she had towards everything and the way she approached her private life led to the positive effects she experienced.
* 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
