Column Treatment Progress Report No.74: a Patient Whose Pain Had Improved at First With Another Treatment, but Then Recurred
October 30, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
Treated in February 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment up to now
This patient had a tear in the annulus fibrosus in the area indicated by the red frame (L3/4 disc).
L4/5 and 5/s appeared to have disc herniation.
Progress before treatment
In 2013, the patient was diagnosed with disc herniation. Endoscopic surgery was performed, with a good postoperative progress, but the patient had a few relapses of pain over the years.
In December 2022, he developed pain when he coughed, and the pain has continued ever since.
Walking is difficult.
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 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 1 month after treatment | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient felt a little better but still felt some pain.
After 1 month, numbness remained but with no other symptoms.
After 3 months, the patient had occasional back pain, but it was much better than before the treatment. Numbness symptoms have also improved.
After 6 months, the pain is minimal and the numbness is better than before the treatment, although it is still a little present.
This patient has had one endoscopic herniated disc surgery.
Endoscopic surgery involves resection of the inflamed area.
Unlike the Cellgel Method, it is not a fundamental treatment and may cause herniation again.
The Cellgel method repairs the disc, so the recurrence of herniation is lower than with surgery.
* 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
