Column Treatment Progress Report No.78: a Patient Who Has Recovered to the Point Where He Can Play Golf Again
November 14, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in March 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatments up to now
Disc herniation was observed on this patient in the area indicated by the red frame (L5/s disc).
L3/4 showed disc degeneration, and L4/5 showed intervertebral foramen stenosis caused by disc degeneration.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
In November 2022, while exercising, the patient developed symptoms of numbness from the right buttock to the lower extremity. He consulted a local orthopedic surgeon and was diagnosed with stenosis of the L5/s intervertebral disc.
Another orthopedic surgeon also diagnosed him with spinal canal stenosis.
He visited our clinic for treatment.
Treatment
In view of the images and examination, the Cellgel Method was performed on a total of 2 intervertebral discs, on L4/5 and 5/s.
Post-treatment progress
The following is a chart in which the patient rated the pain value of 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 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 week after treatment | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 months after treatment | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, there was no change in the symptoms.
After one month, he walked around 7,000 steps every day. Although he felt tired, his symptoms were steadily improving.
After 3 months, there was no change in the numbness. The back was no longer painful, but felt heavy.
After 6 months, his condition had improved considerably. He is happy to be able to play golf again while exercising caution.
For this patient, there was a high probability that disc herniation was the main cause of his symptoms.
It was a long process, but the pain level has decreased, so we are glad that we treated him with good results.
We think that the fact that the patient chose to walk by himself also contributed to this good outcome.
* 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
