Column Treatment Report No.148｜ILC International Low Back Pain Clinic (Tokyo) Column
2024.05.10
The patient
A female patient in her 80s
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2016, the patient developed tightness in both calves. She visited her local orthopedist and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis.
She took medication, but her symptoms did not improve, and she had been suffering from them up to now.
She came to our clinic for medical treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back
Forward bending: no change
Back bending: Worsening of the lumbar pain
Lasegue test: negative
Tenderness: L3/4,4/5,5/s on both sides
Additional explanation about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain is intensified when walking.
No difficulty concerning the walking distance.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4,4/5,5/s- Disc degeneration
- L4/5 – Disc herniation
The above was confirmed by the imaging.
・L3/4,5/s – intervertebral foramen narrowing due to disc degeneration, considered from a preventive aspect.
・L4/5 – Disc herniation, most likely the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Celgell procedure was performed on L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by the clinic administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the DiscoGel after injection.
The treatment took about 20 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
Our clinic’s treatment method
Additional information about the Cellgel method we have introduced in this column.
Cost of the Cellgel method: 1,320,000 yen per area (including tax) to 1,760,000 yen per 5 areas (including tax)
Risks and side effects of the Cellgel method: Transient pain may occur after treatment. Nerve damage is not a zero possibility due to the very nature of the treatment, but there have been no reports of damage so far in either report cases or publications. There is a very small possibility of allergic reactions to local anesthetics. 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 retracts the surrounding tissues. In addition, if the disc is almost completely collapsed, treatment may be difficult. The doctor hold a consultation with you during your visit to the clinic to determine the best treatment option for your 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
