Column Treatment Progress Report No.55: A Patient Whose Symptoms Have Improved Outside Work (Lifting Heavy Objects)
July 31, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 40s
Treated in March 2023. About 4 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
This patient exhibited disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s discs).
In addition, discs L3/4 and 4/5 were suspected to have disc herniation.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
At around the age of 20, the patient suffered from a strained back. He was diagnosed with disc herniation by an orthopedic surgeon. Although surgery was suggested, he decide to observe how his condition evolved since his condition had improved.
10 years ago, he sustained another episode of strained back.
In March 2023, he started to have trouble moving after taking medication once again to see how his condition progressed.
Since it had become a problem in his daily life, he decided to visit our clinic for treatment.
Treatment
Treatment was performed with the cellgel Method on a total of 4intervertebral discs (L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s).
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the pain values of each area rated by the patient himself 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 | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient felt very much better after the treatment.
After 1 month, he returned to work to carry heavy loads, and his back became painful again.
After 3 months, he was dealing well with the pain by stretching. Other than a little pain in her lower back, he was basically pain-free.
This patient showed positive results to the treatment early on.
Although his condition had improved to the point where he was able to lead a normal life, the heavy lifting he had to do at his workplace was still putting a strain on his lower back.
Since the patient was doing his own stretches, we suggested more appropriate stretches to him.
We hope that the patient’s body will have less trouble at work in the future.
* 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
