Column Treatment Progress Report No.135: A Patient Who Had Surgery For Disc Herniation in the Past
October 9, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 50s
Treated in September 2023, about 12 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient was found to have spinal canal stenosis caused by disc herniation discs and protrusions in the intervertebral discs at the points indicated by the red frames (L2/3, 3/4, 4/5).
Progress and treatment before treatment
In 2015, he developed a strained back, which improved after taking some rest at home.
In 2017, he was hospitalized for 2 weeks due to disc herniation.
In 2023, he was hospitalized again for 2 weeks for another herniated disc. After being discharged, he had residual lower back pain and he received a block injection for it, which helped a little.
He visited our clinic because he still had residual pain in his lower limbs.
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 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for the follow-up.
After 1 week, the pain appeared the day after the treatment, so he took painkillers to alleviate it.
After 1 month, he had no pain when moving around during the day, but pain was present at night.
After 3 months, the pain in his lower back became stronger when he was carrying heavy objects at work or bending over. The pain in his left leg changed from day to day.
After 6 months, the pain has lessened compared to the previous feedback.
In this case, the cause is thought to have been due to protrusion of the intervertebral discs in L2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
The patient’s work puts a lot of strain on his lower back, and so the pain has not completely disappeared so far.
However, the pain in the lower back has gradually lessened and the pain in the lower limbs has improved, so we think the treatment has been effective. We advised the patient to actively engage in stretching and other exercises to eventually reduce the pain in his lower back to zero.
* 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
