Still Wants to Play Golf! (Male, 70s)

Patient Information

70s Male

Illness and Symptoms

• Herniated Disc
• Disc Degeneration
• Sciatica

Patient's Condition

The patient had a history of lower back pain since his younger years, but around the fall of last year, he started experiencing nerve pain in his buttocks, which made it impossible for him to swing fully while playing golf. As playing golf with his friends is his greatest joy in life, he hoped for treatment at our clinic and came for a consultation.

Examination

This is an MRI scan of the patient's lower back. The intervertebral disc between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae is collapsed. We believe that the inflammation has spread to the sciatic nerve passing nearby, causing buttock pain.

Treatment Details

Discseel Procedure

Upon examining the intervertebral disc, we confirmed that the intradiscal pressure was low. Therefore, we determined that laser treatment (PLDD) and DisCoGel treatment (Cellgel method), which are decompression treatments, were not indicated, and we performed the Discseel Procedure.

This shows the disc examination (Annulogram) being performed. Because the intradiscal pressure was low, leakage and reduction of the contrast medium were observed, so we immediately performed the Discseel Procedure.

The left side is the X-ray before treatment, and the right side is the X-ray after treatment. An increase in intervertebral disc volume can be observed. We asked him to refrain from playing golf for about a month.

A Word from the Director

Recently, the number of patients from Indonesia has been increasing. Since I gave a lecture at a major hospital in Indonesia last year, the number of patient referrals has increased. I am planning to participate in a medical exhibition in Indonesia again this year. I also have to go for training in the United States within the year. I'm busy.

Now, today our Hanshin Tigers (Saiki) will play against the DeNA BayStars (Bauer). Since some of our patients are DeNA fans, I will say modestly, "Maybe we'll win 5-1." (laughs)