Column Treatment Progress Report No.57: A Patient Suffering From Recurring Episodes of Strained Back
August 05, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
Treated in March 2023. About 4 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
This patient had disc herniation in the area indicated by the red frame (disc at L5/s).
In addition, disc degeneration was observed in discs L2/3 to L5/s.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In her 30s, the patient suffered her first episode of strained back.
In July 2022, she experienced an episode of strained back for the third time.
In September 2022, she had pain in her left buttock area. She visited an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with disc herniation. The patient was put under observation with medication.
Since there was no improvement, she decided to come to our clinic for treatment.
Treatment
Treatment was performed on discs L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s with the Cellgel method.
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 greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, symptoms had entirely disappeared.
After one month, the patient had some pain similar to muscle aches, but it was not particularly bothersome.
After 3 months, the pain had decreased compared to before the treatment.
The effect of the treatment was apparent immediately after the treatment. The patient made significant improvement.
We instructed the patient to be be proactive with walking so as not to feel too much fatigue, as well as during the rehabilitation process.
* 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
