Column Treatment Progress Report No.85: a Patient Who Was Told by Another Clinic that The Cause Was Her Age, but Whose Condition Improved After Treatment at Our Clinic
December 13, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in March 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment.
Symptoms and treatment
The patient had disc herniation in the area indicated by the red frame (disc L3/4).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
The patient was hospitalized for disc herniation when he was 25 years old, after which his condition improved.
In 2016, he began to feel pain in his lower back again. He visited his local orthopedic surgeon, but was told that it was due to aging and was not given any specific treatment.
He found our clinic on the Internet and came to see us for treatment.
Progress after treatment
The following is a chart in which the patient rated each area of pain 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 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 1 week after treatment | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 months after treatment | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, the symptoms were pretty much the same as before the treatment.
After one month, the pain was so severe that the patient had to take painkillers.
After 3 months, symptoms had improved a little, but it was still difficult to turn over in bed.
After 6 months, the overall condition has substantially improved. The patient is now about 80% better than before the treatment.
This patient’s symptoms were mainly caused by disc herniation at L3/4.
Treatment for disc herniation is known to take time to take effect.
If in the meantime, the patient avoids any physical activity because of the pain, the muscles will lose some of their strength.
We recommend that patients try to improve blood circulation by going about their daily lives as usual, exercising to some extent, and taking baths to warm up their 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
