Column Treatment Case Report No. 6｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 20, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had low back pain for 5–6 years. She was previously diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis at another clinic but did not receive treatment. In July, she experienced pain in her left posterior thigh and buttock after weeding in her garden. She reported that medication was the only treatment offered wherever she sought care.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Primary pain areas: Left posterior thigh, left buttock, lower back
Bending forward: no exacerbation
Bending backward: exacerbation of her low back pain on the left side
Lasegue test: positive
Point of tenderness: L3/4, L4/5, L5/S.
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient reported doing physical work and walking to a public bathhouse.
Imaging and findings
| Level | Findings |
| L1/2 | Disc degeneration |
| L2/3 | Disc degeneration |
| L3/4 | Disc degeneration, spinal canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis on the left side |
| L4/5 | Disc degeneration, spinal canal stenosis, bilateral foraminal stenosis |
| L5/S | Disc degeneration, foraminal stenosis on the left side |
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Overall, disc degeneration, spinal canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis were observed at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, which were likely the main sources of her symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 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 20 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
