Column Treatment Case Report No. 14｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
November 20, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient first developed low back pain around the age of 57, which eventually led him to retire from work. He visited an orthopedic clinic and underwent rehabilitation, He was diagnosed with lumbar spinal canal stenosis.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain and numbness: bilateral low back pain, numbness below both knees
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: Right side of L2/3, L3/4, L4/5.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Attends day-care exercise program twice a week. Takes walks for 20–30 minutes.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: degeneration, left disc herniation, left foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L2/3: degeneration, disc bulging, decreased disc height, right foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L3/4: degeneration, disc bulging, decreased disc height, right foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L4/5: degeneration, left disc herniation, left foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L5/S: degeneration, disc bulging, left foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration were observed across all five levels (L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S), which were highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s primary symptoms.
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. Ban.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 50 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
