Column Treatment Case Report No. 233｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
February 4, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient’s struggle with back pain began in his teens during a physical education class when he experienced his first acute back strain (lumbago). Since then, he has suffered approximately 20 recurring episodes.
In 2025, he developed significant back pain after bowling. He visited a local orthopedic clinic where he was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and a herniated disc. Conservative management with medication was initiated at that time.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
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, left leg.
Bending forward: exacerbated symptoms in the left lower limb.
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: positive at 45° on the left side
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on both sides
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms tend to be most severe from the time he wakes up through the morning.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: Disc degeneration
- L2/3: Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Disc degeneration was observed at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S; treatment at these levels was considered from a preventive standpoint.
・Disc herniation at L2/3 was considered highly likely to be the primary cause of the patient’s main 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 our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
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 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
