Column Treatment Progress Report No.149: a Patient Who Actively Engaged in Rehabilitation and Exercises
December 25, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
Treated in January 2024. About 11 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
This patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (L3/4, 4/5, 5/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
When the patient was in her 50s, she developed sciatica, but it got better after a few acupuncture sessions.
In 2023, she had sciatica once again and went to have acupuncture and moxibustion, but this time there was no improvement. She visited a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, and was put on medication and under observation.
The pain improved for a time, but now since the pain is always prsent now, she decided to visit our clinic.
Progress after treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient rated each area of pain on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Lower limbs | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient still had pain in the lower extremities when walking.
After one month, some pain remained in the knees. She felt heaviness in her left leg when she was standing for a long time.
After 3 months, the symptoms of lower back and numbness had disappeared. She was told that her knee was filled with water.
After 6 months, she felt some discomfort in her hip area. She was able to walk for about one hour every day.
This patient’s symptoms were most likely caused by disc degeneration.
Because she originally had a bad knee, she still had symptoms in her lower limbs, but other symptoms improved at an early stage.
We believe that her symptoms improved because she was able to actively engage in rehabilitation and table tennis.
* 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
