Column Treatment Progress Report No.90: a Patient Whose Pain Gradually Disappeared Over the Periodic follow-ups
January 15, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
Treated in May 2023. About 8 months have passed since the treatment
Symptoms and treatment
This patient has disc degeneration in the areas indicated by the red frame (discs at L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s).
Progress and treatment before treatment
3 years ago, the patient suffered from an acute back injury, which gradually improved.
Since then, she has been experiencing spasmodic pain about once every 3 months.
She came to our clinic 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 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 week after treatment | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 month after treatment | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After 1 week, the patient felt instability and pain when removing the corset.
After 1 month, she had no problem when exercising.
After 3 months, the patient was doing well, but felt occasional tightness in the buttocks.
At 6 months, her overall condition had stabilized. She felt no fatigue or pain after exercising.
This patient’s symptoms are thought to have been caused by L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s disc degeneration.
After treatment, the symptoms of spasmodic pain, which came about once every 3 months, ceased to occur.
Since the disc has repaired over time, the pain will not occur in the future unless excessive strain is placed on the discs.
* 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
