Column Treatment Progress Report No.157: A Patient Who Had Been Experiencing Spinal Canal Stenosis Symptoms for 20 Years
March 03, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s
Treated in December 2023. About 12 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
The patient has spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (discs L2/3,3/4).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient first developed back pain 20 years ago.
Surgery was recommended, but he was not very enthusiastic about it and eventually decided against it.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
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 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 1 month after treatment | 6 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 months after treatment | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 6 months after treatment | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 12 months after treatment | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient felt heaviness and pain in the left buttock.
After one month, he needed to take a break after walking for about 15 minutes. His lower back and left knee were painful.
After 3 months, the symptoms temporarily aggravated, causing pain in the lower back and the abdominal area.
After 6 months, he contracted Covid and was hospitalized. His physical strength subsequently deteriorated.
After 12 months, his symptoms have gradually eased. He no longer needs a cane for walking.
This patient’s main symptoms are thought to have been mainly caused by spinal canal stenosis.
Because the symptoms have been present for as long as 20 years, it will take some time for the symptoms to improve further.
It is usually also beneficial for the patient to to improve his lifestyle. This time, the Covid infection made it temporarily difficult for the patient to attend rehabilitation at our clinic, but gradually, the patient has been able to achieve good results.
We hope that he will make use of our rehabilitation services again once the situation settles down.
* 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
