Column Treatment Case Report No. 215｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
August 25, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Experienced acute low back pain approximately 10 times during his 30s and 40s. Subsequently developed chronic symptoms.
Began attending an osteopathic clinic in his 50s.
In April 2024, pain began radiating from his right buttock down his right leg. He visited a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Medication and nerve block injections were administered but did not improve his condition.
Due to the aggravation of his pain, he came to our clinic seeking fundamental treatment.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
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.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: Increased pain in buttocks
Lasègue test: positive on both sides
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms aggravate at the start of walking.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 – Spinal canal stenosis
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 – Degenerative disc disease
- L2/3, 4/5 – Annular tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L3/4 – Spinal canal stenosis was observed, and is the probable cause of the primary symptoms.
・L2/3, 4/5 – Foraminal stenosis due to disc degeneration was observed, and may be a cause of symptoms.
Furthermore, annular tears were observed in both discs, making them a likely cause of the frequent acute low back pain episodes.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Suematsu.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
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
