Column Treatment Progress Report No. 84: a Patient Who Had a Large Hernia (With PLDD Performed on it in the Past)
December 09, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 50s
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 (L4/5 disc).
Cracks were also observed at L3/4 and 5/s.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient had two previous strained backs in the past.
In 2009, PLDD was performed on the herniated disc at a different hospital. Improvement was obtained after the surgery.
In 2011, the pain recurred.
She tried back pain exercises and medication, but her symptoms have worsened over the past month, so she came to our clinic for treatment.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 8 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 5 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the patient felt comfortable for about two days after the treatment, before the pain returned.
After one month, symptoms worsened when walking long distances. The pain subsided after a break.
After 3 months, the patient could not be contacted, so no report was obtained.
After 6 months, the patient had pain when she woke up from bed, but it became easier once she started to move.
This patient is believed to have had a herniated disc at L4/5, which was the main cause of her symptoms.
Since the herniation was very large, it took a long time for the treatment to be effective.
Also, since cracks were observed in L3/4 and L5/s, it is believed that this treatment will help to prevent the strained backs from recurring.
We hope that the patient will continue to lead a normal life without pushing himself too hard.
* 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
