Column Treatment Progress Report No.82: a Patient on Whom Block Injections Were Ineffective
November 29, 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 herniation in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L4/5).
In addition, L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s discs showed disc degeneration.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
We have written a prior post-treatment column below, please refer to it for details.
Progress after treatment
This 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 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, she was surprised at how much better she felt.
After 1 month, she felt pain in her lower back after carrying a heavy load. Numbness was present in her calf throughout the day.
After 3 months, the pain in her lower back from carrying the heavy load had subsided. On the other hand, her lower limbs felt heavier.
After 6 months, the patient felt much better than before the treatment.
The patient’s main symptom was disc herniation.
Since it takes time for a hernia that has protruded to return to its original position, we recommended exercise to the extent that it was not too strenuous.
The improvement in her symptoms after one week is thought to have been the result of the block injection. Effects vary from person to person, but they may wear off quickly and the pain level may return.
The pain levels felt between 1 and 3 months are the result of the Cellgel Method beginning to take effect.
* 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
