Column Treatment Progress Report No.113: a Patient Who Has Been More Active Since Their Treatment.
May 24, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s
Treated in January 2023, about 1 year has passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L4/5).
L4 had anterolisthesis and L5 showed narrowing of the intervertebral disc.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient had been suffering from pain in the left thigh and occasional pain in the lower back for over 10 years.
Around September 2022, she also began to experience pain in the hip area. She visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis.
The patient then decided to visit our clinic for treatment.
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 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 year after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
After 1 week, she felt that her overall condition had improved.
After 1 month, she was able to climb stairs and to sleep well without worrying about pain.
After 3 months, she started going out more. Her pain changed from day to day, but the severe pain had disappeared altogether.
After 6 months, she was able to move around more than before, but her knees still hurt a little.
After 12 months, her symptoms had calmed down compared to before the treatment. It is good to see that she no longer has any reluctance to go out.
In this case, we think that the cause of the symptoms was spinal canal stenosis in L4/5.
The patient was in a lot of pain when she went to bed before the treatment, but after the treatment, she was able to sleep well without worrying about the pain, which is a good thing.
We think that the fact that the patient was actively going out and moving around a lot was also a contributing factor to the improvement.
We are glad that we were able to help the patient enjoy their daily life without worrying about her symptoms.
* It takes about 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
