Column Treatment Case Report No. 5｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 16, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around October 2023, the patient underwent disc shaving surgery at a nearby hospital for a herniated disc.
In December 2024, while bending over to check on her child in bed, she experienced low back pain. A sacral block injection relieved the pain, so she continued under observation.
However, after about a year, her symptoms worsened — with low back pain, numbness along the back of the right thigh, and numbness from the right knee to the toes.
Symptoms increased when leaning backward.
In September 2025, she received another sacral block injection at a local clinic, but it was ineffective.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: right leg.
Bending forward: Increased numbness on the outer right leg
Bending backward: No exacerbation of pain.
Lasegue test: Positive
Point of tenderness: L3/4, right sciatic nerve region.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Engages in regular gym exercises.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Normal
L2/3: Normal
L3/4: Normal
L4/5: Degeneration, herniation, annular tear
L5/S: Degeneration, right herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Degeneration, disc herniation, and annular tear were observed at L4/5 and L5/S, likely the main cause of symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Han.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 40 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
