Column Treatment Progress Report No.167: A male Patient in His 30s Who Had Been Suffering from Low Back Pain for Many Years
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
Treated in February 2024. About 14 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
The patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs L3/4, 4/5, 5/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
The patient’s back has been in poor condition since high school.
In 2001, he was occasionally unable to move due to back pain while at work. At that time, he visited his local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and disc herniation. He was treated with block injections and told to monitor his condition.
The last time he felt back pain was in 2023.
He visited our clinic seeking to improve his 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 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, there was no increase or decrease in pain, simply the buttock area felt a little heavier.
After 1 month, when he repeatedly squatted at work, he felt numbness in his lower limbs and a feeling of heaviness in his lower back. The symptoms disappeared after walking.
After 3 months, the same symptoms as in the first month occurred at work.
After 6 months, numbness and pain are gone. Symptoms no longer occur at work.
This patient’s symptoms were most likely caused by disc degeneration.
Because of his physically demanding job, it was difficult for him not to put any strain on his body, so we asked him to wait until the treatment was effective while coping with his symptoms the best he could.
* 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
