Column Treatment Progress Report No.158：A Patient Whose Intermittent Claudication Improved
March 07, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in December 2023. About 12 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
The patient has spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
Around 2013, the patient developed back pain and sciatica. He visited an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. He was treated with conservative therapy, but his walking distance ability decreased gradually.
After climbing a mountain in 2023, he began to experience numbness in both lower limbs.
He came to our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
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 | 下肢 | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 5 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 5 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 12 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient was able to sleep on his back with more ease than before the treatment.
After 1 month, his lower back was much better, but he still had symptoms of numbness.
After 3 months, the neuralgia from the right hip to the right buttock remained.
After 6 months, numbness in both legs remains, but its intensity has decreased.
After 12 months, the patient still has numbness in the area of the foot after prolonged sitting. His symptoms are better than pre-treatment, and he is now able to play golf and climb mountains.
This patient’s symptoms are thought to have been caused primarily by spinal canal stenosis.
The patient had symptoms of intermittent claudication, but recovered to the point where he was able to climb a mountain about six months after the treatment.
There are many patients who had been diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis whose symptoms improved with the Cellgel Method. If you are currently suffering from symptoms, please feel free to contact us for a free consultation.
* 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
