Column Treatment Progress Report No.9: A Patient with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Whose Pain and Numbness Improved After Treatment
March 17, 2023
The patient
A male patient in his 70s
Treated in October. Approximately 5 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
Imaging findings showed intervertebral disc degeneration and lumbar deformity at the levels indicated by the red frames (L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1).
At L5/S1, the intervertebral disc was severely collapsed, with a marked reduction in disc height.
In addition, lumbar spinal canal stenosis was observed at L4/5 and L5/S1.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
The patient had experienced low back pain for many years. Approximately one year prior, the pain worsened significantly, prompting a visit to an orthopedic clinic, where he was diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis.
The Cellgel Method was performed at three intervertebral disc levels: L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1.
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 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1 month after treatment | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
1 week after treatment: Symptoms similar to acute low back pain appeared following treatment.
1 month after treatment: Tightness in the lower back when walking, but overall improvement was noted.
3 months after treatment: Persistent sensation similar to deep muscle soreness in the right lower back.
Overall, symptoms showed clear improvement; however, some discomfort remained in the right lower back.
While the patient’s overall condition has improved significantly, some discomfort remains in the right lower back. It is possible that factors other than the discs—such as bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, or blood flow—are contributing to these residual symptoms. At our clinic, we provide guidance on rehabilitation exercises that can be done at home to address these secondary factors.
We remain hopeful that the patient’s remaining low back pain will continue to improve over time.
* Results vary among individuals. Please be aware that identical outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
* It generally takes 3 weeks to 3 months for treatment effects to appear.
Our Treatment Method
Supplementary Information on the Cellgel Method
Cost of the Cellgel Method:
¥1,320,000 / 1 site (tax included)
to ¥1,760,000 / 5 sites (tax included)
Risks and Side Effects:
Temporary pain may occur after treatment.
Nerve injury is theoretically possible due to the nature of the procedure, but no such cases have been reported in our own experience or in published studies.
Extremely rare risk of allergic reaction to local anesthetic.
Symptoms may temporarily worsen for 1–2 weeks after treatment, believed to be due to decompression effects of the implant pulling on surrounding tissue.
If the disc is severely collapsed or nearly gone, treatment may not be possible.
The physician will discuss suitable treatment options with each patient depending on their condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
Blog page explaining the Cellgel Method in an easy-to-understand manner
The Cellgel Method on our treatment methods page
This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic
