Column Treatment Progress Report No.68: A Patient Who Had Difficulty Walking but Whose Gait Improved Post-treatment
September 20, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in January 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments until now
This patient has spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L4/5).
Disc herniation was observed in disc L3/4.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In September 2022, symptoms of numbness and pain appeared in the lower limbs.
She had been seeing an orthopedic surgeon for knee surgery, but not for her lower back, so she decided to come to our clinic for treatment.
The patient was having walking difficulties.
Treatment
Treatment was performed on a total of 4 intervertebral discs (L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, and 4/5) using the Cellgel method.
Post-treatment progress
The following is a table of pain values for each area rated by the patient himself 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 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 2 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the pain had subsided and the patient was able to walk a little.
After one month, the numbness in the left big toe was still present, but the symptoms were on the decrease.
After 3 months, the numbness in the left shin and thumb was still there.
After 6 months, she is able to walk without pain. Only a little numbness remains in her left thumb, but she is very satisfied with the results otherwise.
This patient had difficulty walking before the treatment. After the treatment, the pain is gone and she is gradually recovering her ability to walk smoothly.
3 months after the treatment, when the weather started to warm up, she was able to start taking walks, which we believe led to better therapeutic results.
Although it will take some time for the numbness symptoms to disappear, we and all the personnel are pleased that the patient is satisfied with the treatment.
* 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
