Column Treatment Progress Report No.155: A Patient who was Unwilling to Undergo Surgical Procedure and whose Condition Improved with the Cellgel Method
February 19, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60’s
Treatment in December 2023. About 12 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
The patient suffered from spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L3/4).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In his 30s, the patient was hospitalized for disc herniation.
In 2023, after carrying a heavy object, he started to have pain extending from his left buttock to his lower limb. A few days later, he was unable to walk and visited his local orthopedist, who diagnosed him with lumbar osteoarthritis.
Although a number of surgical procedures were suggested, the patient had strong misgivings about them and decided to try block injections and rehabilitation instead to see how things would develop.
Although a number of surgical procedures were suggested, the patient had strong misgivings about them and decided to try block injections and rehabilitation instead to see how things would develop.
Post-treatment progress
The following is a chart in which the patient rated the pain value of each part 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 | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 12 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient’s feet often had cramps. (Good progress can usually be achieved for this with foot acupressure massage).
After one month, he had strong pain in his right hip up to the thigh.
After 3 months, he had pain from his left hip to his left knee. The right thigh also felt a little numb.
After 6 months, his daily life became better. He wore a corset when he drove for prolonged periods of time and seemed to adapt well to it.
After 12 months, the patient’s life is much better than before the treatment.
The patient’s symptoms were probably caused by a number of factors, including bone spurs as well as the disc.
Although the Cellgel Method is a treatment designed primarily for intervertebral discs, and therefore is less effective in treating bone displacement and degeneration of the bone spurs, this particular patient was able to reduce the total level of symptoms by attending rehabilitation at a nearby clinic and dealing with her symptoms on her own.
We sincerely hope that our clinic’s treatment will be the first step leading to the improvement of his back pain.
* 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
