Column Treatment Progress Report No.63: A Patient Whose Symptoms Aggravated 3 Months After Treatment, but Started to Improve With Rehabilitation.
August 29, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 50s
Treated in December 2022. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
The patient showed disc herniation in the area indicated by the red frame (discs L4/5 and 5/s).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
One year ago, symptoms gradually began to appear. The patient had mainly pain in the left sciatic nerve and in both soles of the feet.
So far, only block injections had been given but did not lead to any improvement.
His walking ability is usually limited to between 100 to 500m. When symptoms are strong, it is only about 5m.
Treatment
Treatment was performed on discs L4/5 and 5/s with the Cellgel method.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the patient’s evaluation of pain in 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 | 7 | 5 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 1 month after treatment | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain around the tailbone area has gone, although it sometimes tingles. The lower back felt heavy.
After one month, the severe pain had disappeared, but there was still a tingling sensation around the tailbone when walking. The legs remained numb.
After 3 months, the pain around the tailbone became stronger and it became difficult to walk.
After 6 months, the overall pain was better and the pain around the tailbone area had stabilized.
Since 3 months after the treatment, the patient was still having difficulty walking, we advised him on some rehabilitation exercises that he could perform while sitting on a chair.
The patient practiced the exercises by himself, which led to an improvement in his symptoms.
We hope that the patient will continue the rehabilitation to improve his symptoms.
* 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
