Column Treatment Report No.40｜ILC International Back Pain Clinic (Osaka) Column
July 18, 2024
The patient
A female patient in her 80’s
Patient’s medical history to date
The patient began to have pain and other symptoms about 10 years ago.
She has been taking medication for 6 years.
She came to our clinic seeking improvement of her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Right-sided lumbar and gluteal pain.
Numbness from the outer thigh to the outer ankle
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7～8 | 6～8 | 6 | 7～8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main pain area: lower back, buttocks
Forward bending: Possible but numbness in the right lower extremity when returning to the original position
Backward bending: Possible but numbness in the right lower extremity on returning to the original position
Lasegue test: Positive on the right side at a 70-degree angle.
Tenderness: None
Coughing, sneezing: No effect
Standing on tiptoe and heel: Possible
Additional explanation about our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
She usually sleeps on her belly on the right side. Pain is better when lying down.
She has pain in the buttocks when standing and sitting.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion
- L2/3, 3/4-Spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4-Intervertebral foramen stenosis
The above was confirmed by the imaging.
The red frame shows the compression of the spinal canal due to spinal canal stenosis in the L2/3 and 3/4 discs, and this is the most likely cause of the symptoms.
The disc degeneration and protrusion in L4/5 and 5/s as shown in the yellow frame are the main causes of the symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel procedure was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 65 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
