Column Treatment Progress Report No.75: a Patient Whose Pain Gradually Improved
November 04, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 30s.
Treated in February 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment up to now
The patient had mild disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s discs).
Progress before treatment
In September 2022, the patient experienced pain when carrying a heavy parcel. Unable to relieve the pain, she visited her local orthopedist and was diagnosed with disc herniation. The pain was alleviated with medication.
Currently, pain occurs the day after carrying parcels. Pain and numbness occur in the area between the left buttock and thigh.
Walking ability does not pose a problem.
Treatment
Based on the images and examination, the patient received treatment using the Cellgel method for 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 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 1 week after treatment | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 1 month after treatment | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient felt a strong pain in her lower back. She felt numbness when sitting for prolonged periods of time.
After one month, she did her best to walk about one hour a day.
After 3 months, she was living her life free of pain, except once when she bumped her body and felt pain in her buttocks and left leg.
After 6 months, the pain in her hip became less severe. She only felt numbness in both legs in the morning, but other than that, she has been able to lead her life without any problems.
Since this patient was feeling pain one week after the end of the treatment, we instructed her to walk.
She was able to walk without strain and the pain gradually went away, except when an unexpected bump to the body once triggered inflammation.
Considering her original symptoms, we suspect that she suffered from disc herniation, and we believe that the Cellgel method will reduce her pain even more 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
