Column Treatment Progress Report No.162: A Patient Who Experienced Relief from His Symptoms of Disc Herniation
March 31, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treatment in December 2023. About 15 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
Disc herniation was observed on this aptient in the area indicated by the red frame (L1/2), and discs L2/3, 3/4, and 4/5 were also treated.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In his thirties, the patient experienced his first episode of strained back and has had several subsequent recurrences since then.
The last onset was as recent as one month before the examination date, but his current symptoms have since calmed down a little.
The patient 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 area on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum pain possible is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 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, symptoms became more severe when the patient was in a semi-crouching posture.
After one month, the symptoms were slightly improving. There was no aggravation.
After 3 months, discomfort had become prevalent over pain.
After 6 months, the pain was gradually decreasing. Symptoms no longer occured even when prolonged sitting or driving for long periods of time.
After 12 months, the patient still feels some discomfort, but the symptoms have settled down.
The patient’s symptoms were most likely caused by disc herniation.
The treatment was initially estimated to have been about 50% effective, but since the patient’s symptoms have now almost disappeared, it can be concluded that the treatment has been very effective.
The patient’s exercises consisted mainly of stretching. Other exercises were difficult to implement due to the lack of a suitable environment.
* 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
