Column Treatment Progress Report No.119: a Patient Whose Condition Improved Steadily After Treatment
June 24, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treatment in July 2023, approximately 1 year after treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient had degenerative disc disease in the areas indicated by the red frames (L2/3, 3/4, 4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In 2023, she began to experience numbness in her left lower limb. Gradually, it also spread down to her right lower limb.
After visiting a nearby orthopedic clinic and being diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, the patient was treated with medication and rehabilitation. She decided to visit our clinic for treatment after she saw no improvement.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
The scale is based on the patient’s own assessment of the pain, with 0 being no pain at all and 10 being the worst possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| One week after treatment | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| One month after treatment | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
After one week, he felt a little pain when he moved, but he felt relieved after the treatment.
After one month, he felt pain in his lower back when he was tired, but the level of his symptoms was decreasing in his daily life.
After 3 months, his symptoms had improved a lot. The numbness and heaviness in his feet had not disappeared yet.
After 6 months, the pain in his lower back had completely disappeared. The numbness in his feet was gradually improving.
In this instance, it is thought that the symptoms were caused by a protruding intervertebral disc.
At first, the patient was using a paste-type medicine patch to help with her daily life, but after the pain had subsided, she was able to live comfortably without the medicine, which was a great relief to her.
We are also very pleased that she attended the rehabilitation sessions we offer at our clinic and that she did not neglect to do her stretches at home.
* 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
