Column Treatment Progress Report No.58: A Patient Who Was Actively Engaged in Post-Treatment Rehabilitation
August 08, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in April 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 L3/4).
In addition, disc degeneration was observed in discs L1/2 to L5/s.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
Forty years ago, the patient felt discomfort in his lower back while practicing judo. After that, he experienced pain in his lower back on a regular basis.
He visited various orthopedic surgeons, but in most cases was only advised to rest, all with no improvement.
He came to our clinic for treatment after learning about us.
Treatment
We performed the Cellgel method on the patient for a total of 3 intervertebral discs (L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s).
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 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 2 | 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 pain in the ankles had decreased.
After one month, the pain was gradually easing.
After 3 months, he felt some heaviness in his lower back after prolonged standing, but otherwise there was no pain in particular. No other symptoms were observed.
After the treatment, the patient has been doing rehabilitation by himself, such as walking in a pool.
The treatment of the discs combined with muscle strengthening through rehabilitation has resulted in decreasing the pain with each new day.
We hope that he will continue the rehabilitation to keep his muscles in good condition.
* 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
