Column Treatment Progress Report No.56: A Patient Showing Satisfactory Post-Treatment Recovery
August 02, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in March 2023. About 4 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
This patient exhibited disc herniation in the area indicated by the red frame (disc at L4/5).
In addition, disc degeneration was observed in discs L2/3 to L5/s.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In January 2023, the patient experienced pain in the lower back when lifting a sewing machine. Subsequently, pain and numbness appeared in the left lower limb.
She consulted an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with disc herniation. She received block injections, but this did not improve her pain simptoms significantly.
She came to our clinic for treatment.
Treatment
We performed the Cellgel Method on a total of 3intervertebral discs (L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s).
Post-treatment progress
The following is a table 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 greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 0 | 2 | 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 was surprised to feel no pain at all.
After one month, she had some pain in her lower back when carrying a heavy load. There was also some tingling and numbness in her calf.
After 3 months, her back had recovered to the point that it hurt only a little when she carried a heavy load. Her lower limbs were not painful but felt a little heavy instead.
Most of the patients feel relatively pain-free immediately after the treatment because of the use of a block injection.
Heavy lifting and other movements that put strain on the lower back often cause pain if the disc has not completely repaired yet. Over time, the pain levels often tend to decrease.
We sincerely hope that the patient can continue to live her daily life well, without putting too much strain on her lower back.
* 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
