A 70-Year-Old Patient Receives Treatment in Hopes of Walking Normally Again

Patient Information

Age 70s, Female

Condition and Symptoms

• Spinal Canal Stenosis

Patient's Condition

This patient cared for her husband until last year. However, since her husband passed away in February of this year, she began experiencing numbness in her right leg. After walking for about five minutes, the numbness would appear, and she was unable to walk any further. The patient received oral medication at a nearby hospital, but since there was no improvement, she came to our clinic.

Examination

The MRI results of the lower back showed a damaged disc (spinal cushion) and deformation of the spine. The spinal canal, which is the pathway for the leg nerves, was also narrowed, leading to a diagnosis of spinal canal stenosis.

Type of Treatment

DRT Method (Disc Regenerative Treatment)

To reduce the numbness, we performed DRT (Disc Regenerative Treatment). While the numbness may improve, the patient will still need to perform exercises at home for about three months to walk properly.

Here, we applied a local anesthetic to the skin on the back. The pain is similar to that of a flu vaccine injection.

A catheter is inserted until it reaches the disc, which serves as the spinal cushion. The depth is about 10 cm from the skin, and it does not touch the nerves, so only a slight pain is felt.

Here, we are performing DRT (Disc Regenerative Treatment). If the disc is not damaged, simpler treatments such as PLDD (Laser Treatment on the Disc) or DiscoGel treatment can be done. The treatment time is about 17 minutes.

Message from the Director

There are four methods of treatment for discs as spinal cushions: Discseel, DRT, DiscoGel, and PLDD. In addition, there are three methods for nerve treatment outside the disc: STR (Stem Cell-based Treatment), PRP, and PODT. Overall, there are seven treatment methods for back pain, and it is important to provide the best treatment according to the patient's condition.

By the way, the Giants won against the BayStars yesterday, so the magic is gone. What a shame. I have a patient who lives in Yokohama and is a BayStars fan, and I think he feels the same way.

I visited Hamasta Stadium, the BayStars' home stadium, on September 26. The stadium is very clean and comfortable. I will continue to support the Hanshin Tigers and hope to see their victories.