Column Treatment Case Report No. 172｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
September 6, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 20s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient used to play basketball during her junior high school days.
At that time, she had pain on the left side. She was diagnosed with disc herniation.
Underwent rehabilitation for 3-4 months, during which daily activities were restricted.
Pain and numbness appeared in the right lower back and down the leg starting 5 months ago.
The patient visited our clinic seeking improvement of her symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Turning over in bed: easy
Standing up: Some difficulty
Washing her face: some difficulty
Maintaining a half-bent posture or standing: extremely difficult
Sitting for long periods: extremely difficult
Lifting or holding heavy objects: extremely difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 8 | 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, right lower limb.
Forward bending: pain from the right lower back to the right leg
Backward bending: pain in the right lower back
Lasègue sign: positive at 70 degrees on the right side
Lumbar tenderness points: none
Cough/sneeze: radiating pain
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L5/S1 – intervertebral disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings show that the compression of the spinal canal on disc L5/S is highly likely to be the cause of the symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 25 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home unaided.
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
