Column Treatment Progress Report No. 106: a Patient Who Had Episodes of Lower Back Pain Several Times a Year

April 3, 2024

The patient

A male patient in his 60s

Treated in May 2023. Approximately 10 months have passed since treatment.

Symptoms and treatments

This patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frames (L4/5, 5/s).

Pre-treatment medical history and treatments

20 years ago, he was struck by sudden episodes of strained back on 3 different occasions. It worsened to the point where he could no longer stand up. His condition improved after he received nerve block injections.

After that, he suffered from lower back pain several times every year.

Basically, he was kept under observation with medication, and received nerve block injections when he was in too much pain.　

The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.

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.

The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.

After 1 week, the heaviness in his lower back that he had experienced for a few days after the treatment had disappeared. There was no change in his symptoms.

After 1 month, the heaviness in his lower back that he had experienced before the treatment had completely disappeared. The numbness and pain in his buttocks had also disappeared. The pain in his lower limbs had remained though.

After 3 months, the patient was too busy for feedback, but he only said that he had no symptoms.

After 6 months, there were no changes in symptoms. There was no discomfort or instability whatsoever.

In this case, the cause was thought to be disc degeneration at L4/5 and 5/s.

The patient originally had a low level of pain, but because he used to experience strong pain several times a year, we chose to carry out preventive treatment.

The patient was also very happy that he was able to live a pain-free life without experiencing any strong pain after the treatment.

* 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