Column Treatment Progress Report No.161: A Patient Who Improved to the Point of Being Able to Play Golf About a Month After Treatment
March 24, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in December 2023. About 15 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
This patient was treated for disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs L3/4, 4/5).
L5/s was not treated because of loss of volume in the disc height.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
3 years ago, the patient began to have difficulty walking due to back pain.
He visited a local orthopedist and was told that it was due to aging. After rehabilitation, his condition improved a little.
The patient visited 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 maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain was gone after about 4 days.
After one month, he went out to play golf and had no pain on the same day or the next day.
After 3 months, the patient was able to play golf and walk for about 1 hour.
After 6 months, he was able to lead his life the same way he did at the 3 months follow-up.
After 12 months, the pain is gone and his life has changed for the better. He is very satisfied with the treatment.
This patient was most likely suffering from symptoms caused by narrowing of the intervertebral foramen caused by a protruding disc.
It is likely that the pain disappeared in the short to long term as a result of the effect of the Cellgel Method treatment as well as the block injections.
* 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
