Column Treatment Progress Report No. 95: a patient Who Improved to the Point of Being Able to Travel Abroad
February 03, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
Treated in January 2023. Approximately 9 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments
This patient had spinal canal stenosis in the area indicated by the red frame ( intervertebral disc at L2/3).
In addition, anterolisthesis at L3 and disc degeneration at L2/3, 5/s were observed.
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments
20 years ago, the patient felt pain in the lower back for the first time. She was put on medication and received block injections a couple of times.
In 2016, she developed acute lower back pain. She visited her local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. She was given medication only and her condition was monitored.
In 2021, she was suggested surgery, but was told that it was not necessary right away.
During the COVID epidemics, she developed walking difficulties because of reduced daily outings.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
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 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 1 week after treatment | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 1 month after treatment | 6 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 months after treatment | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| 6 months after treatment | 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| 1 year after treatment | 3 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
After one week, she still had pain in her lower back but no more pain in her thighs; she no longer had to teke a rest after walking for 10 minutes.
After one month, it became difficult to exert strength when walking. The pain also increased a little.
After 3 months, she still had some pain in her leg. She was able to walk in the pool and take walks for about 30 minutes.
After 6 months, she still had some pain, but it was getting better than before the treatment.
After one year, her body was in good condition and she was able to go on an overseas trip. Now she now may have muscle pain but it’s because she keeps active all the time.
We believe that this patient’s symptoms were caused by spinal stenosis.
She attended the rehabilitation center attached to our clinic about 10 times, and her symptoms gradually improved.
Before the treatment, she could only walk about 100 meters before having to take a rest, but after one year, we are pleased to say that her condition has improved to the point where she was able to go on a trip.
She said that she was happy that she was able to “ confront her own body” through the rehabilitation process.
We would like to share some of the comments from this particular patient below.
I mainly worked on muscle strength and bodybuilding that I was recommended to do during the medical examination, and found the time to do it at home as well.
I tried not to put too much strain on my body, such as not pushing myself too hard and stopping the exercises before it became painful.
When I was attending the rehabilitation center in Tokyo, there were times when the movements were difficult or I could not move my body very well, but the staff kindly guided me through the process and I was able to face the rehabilitation with a sense of real enjoyment.
I had ups and downs with the pain, but in the end I am glad that I was able to go on a trip and enjoy myself.
* 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
