Column Treatment Progress Report No.137: a Patient Who Experienced Severe Pain 3 Weeks After Treatment, Before His Symptoms Improved
October 25, 2024
The patient
A male patient in his 60s
Treated in November 2023. Approximately 11 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments
This patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (L4/5).
In addition, bilateral foraminal stenosis was also observed in L5/S.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
From around July 2023, the patient began to feel pain in the lower back and left lower limb.
He visited a local orthopedic clinic and was treated with physical traction and medication, but his condition did not improve, so he 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 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 1 week after treatment | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 1 month after treatment | 7 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, he felt that the pain had decreased for 2 to 3 days after the treatment, but after that, it returned to the same levels as before the treatment.
After 1 month, he felt severe pain at the 3-week mark after the treatment, but the symptoms eased after 2 to 3 days.
After 3 months, the pain disappeared, but there was a little numbness left. A good point was that he did not feel pain even when playing golf.
After 6 months, he only felt a slight numbness on the top of his left foot when lying down. Apart from that, he felt nothing and continued to exercise as normal.
In this patient’s case, there was an unstable period during which the pain became stronger following the treatment.
In some cases, the symptoms may temporarily worsen due to the increase in disc volume caused by injecting the intervertebral disc with Discogel, or due to the decompression mechanism of the treatment.
Although there are individual differences, the period of instability is likely to be from around 1 to 3 months, and symptoms are likely to worsen or improve during this time.
If you have any concerns about the treatment, please feel free to contact us.
* 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
