Column Treatment Progress Report No.66: A Patient Whose Condition Temporarily Aggravated Following Treatment, but Improved with Rehabilitation
September 11, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
Treated in December 2022. About 9 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
This patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L4/5).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In her 30s, she had a single episode of strained back.
In August 2022, she experienced severe pain in the buttock area upon waking up, making it difficult to walk. She visited an orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. After block injection, the pain disappeared for 3 to 4 days.
In October 2022, she began to develop pain in the upper part of her lower back. Initially, the pain was intermittent, but recently the pain has become constant.
She consulted at our clinic for treatment.
She had some difficulty walking.
Treatment
Treatment was performed with the Cellgel Method on a total of 3 intervertebral discs (L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s).
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 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 6 months after treatment | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain in the lower back and hips had decreased to about half, but the base of the leg was still painful.
After one month, the pain level was unchanged. The right leg felt like it was cramping. The lower back felt worse in the mornings.
After 3 months, symptoms had aggravated. Walking remained difficult. But she managed to go about her daily life.
After 6 months, after continuing to practice the rehabilitation she was taught at our clinic, her symptoms finally started to improve. Pain and numbness have now improved significantly.
This patient’s symptoms temporarily aggravated after the treatment, although the effects of the treatment manifested themselves quickly.
At the three-month follow-up, we found out that her symptoms had aggravated, so we recommended rehabilitation exercises that she could do at home. Normally, we would have preferred that the patient do the rehabilitation every day, but in consideration of her physical condition and other factors, we instead asked her to simply perform the rehabilitation whenever she was able to.
As a result of the rehabilitation, the pain levels lowered considerably at the 6-month post-treatment follow-up. We sincerely hope that the patient will continue to perform the rehabilitation 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
