Column Treatment Progress Report No.77: a Patient Whose Symptoms Were Temporarily Aggravated by Overexercising
November 10, 2023
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in March 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments up to now
This patient had disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s ).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In June 2022, the patient developed pain in the right hip after being going to the dentist. She consulted a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. Subsequently, she also began experiencing numbness symptoms in her right lower extremity.
In February 2023, she began to feel pain in her lower back as well.
She visited our clinic for treatment.
Treatment
Based on the imaging and physical examination, the patient underwent treatment 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 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 6 |
| 1 week after treatment | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 months after treatment | 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, she still had some discomfort in her lower back and felt numbness in her right toes when she stood up.
After one month, she started stretching, but afterwards she sometimes feels numbness and pain in her buttocks.
After 3 months, when walking for 20 to 30 minutes, numbness occured in the right leg. She also felt discomfort in her lower back.
After 6 months, she still felt numbness in her buttocks and right lower limb, but it was much better than before the treatment. She still needs to rest after a short walk.
Even though this patient still has symptoms of intermittent claudication, the treatment was effective in alleviating the other symptoms.
The aggravation of pain at the 3-month mark is thought to be due to over-exercising. We advised the patient to exercise without overdoing it and to exercise to the extent that it does not strain her body.
* 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
