Column Treatment Case Report No. 211｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
June 30, 2025.
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had low back pain for some time.
Two years ago, his back pain intensified and he visited his local orthopedic surgeon, where he was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 9 | 3 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, both lower limbs.
Forward bending: buttock pain on the left side
Bending backward: impossible
Lasegue test: positive, tension on the left side
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: positive after walking for 100m or less.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms are worse upon waking up and turning over in bed
Imaging and findings
- L1/2,2/3,3/4,4/5,5/s- disc degeneration
- L4/5- spinal canal stenosis
- L5/s- endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis and intervertebral foramen stenosis were observed, and are the most probable cause of the main symptoms.
・L5/s – endplate degeneration was observed, along with the presence of inflammation .
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the PODD Method was performed on L4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Kono.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 35 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
