Column Treatment Progress Report No.131: A Patient Who Was Able to Control Her Pain and Improve Her Condition
September 6, 2024
The patient:
A female patient in her 50s.
She was treated in September 2023, approximately 12 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and prior treatments
This patient was found to have degenerative disc disease in the areas indicated by the red frame (L3/4, 4/5, 5/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
She began to feel pain in her lower back after falling during a club activity when she was a student.
After injuring her back while at work, she began to experience frequent bouts of back pain.
She visited an orthopedic surgeon clinic, where she was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis.
She came to our clinic seeking treatment.
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 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| One week after treatment | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| One month after treatment | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
After one week, the symptoms had halved. I felt a little numbness when I sat for long periods.
After one month, I felt discomfort and pain when I sat for long periods or kept the same posture.
After three months, I switched from walking in the pool to walking on land, without any fatigue or pain.
After 6 months, there were no inconveniences in everyday life.
In this case, it is thought that the pain was caused by intervertebral disc degeneration.
Cracks were observed in L3/4 and 4/5, and it is thought that this was the cause of the repeated sudden lower back pain.
I think that the patient’s own efforts to shift from walking in the pool to walking on land, and to limit the strain on her body also contributed significantly to the improvement.
* 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
Page of the Cellgel procedure at our clinic
This article was written by the Administrative Director of our clinic
