Column Treatment Progress Report No.160: A Patient With 20 Years of Chronic Low Back Pain Whose Condition Improved
March 19, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
Treated in December 2023. About 15 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
This patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L3/4).
In addition, disc herniation was observed in L4/5.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
The patient has had chronic back pain since her 50s.
In July 2023, after walking a long distance, she felt pain in her left lower limb. She visited a local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. She was treated with medical patches and rehabilitation, but there was no improvement.
She came to our clinic seeking to improve her 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 maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 6 | 6 | 4 | 5 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient had some pain in the lower limbs and lower back, but it already felt better than pre-treatment.
After one month, the patient tended to have pain when rising from a chair. The pain itself was only felt once a week.
After 3 months, her lower back felt heavy, but the symptoms disappeared when she exercised.
After 6 months, she felt pain and discomfort upon waking up, but it quickly dissipated.
After 12 months, the back pain is almost gone. The patient is very satisfied to be able to move her body again.
This patient’s symptoms are thought to have been caused by spinal canal stenosis.
The post-treatment symptoms were good and essentially ideal. Although she currently still has some pain when walking due to osteoarthritis of the knees, we are very happy to hear that the symptoms of her lower back have been drastically reduced.
* 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
