Column Treatment Case Report No. 42｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
March 12, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation since his 20s. Since symptoms would improve within 2–3 weeks, no continuous treatment was pursued.
Frequency of symptoms gradually increased, so he underwent laser treatment in 2007, after which symptoms improved.
The patient underwent surgery for spinal stenosis in 2017.
Walking difficulties emerged 3 years ago. He underwent a total hip replacement in 2025, but lumbar symptoms persisted.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: bilateral lower back pain and right hip joint pain.
Bending forward: no aggravation of pain
Bending backward: no aggravation of pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Golf.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Disc degeneration, bulging, left foraminal stenosis, annular tear
L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, right foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L5/S1: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The symptoms—specifically the intermittent claudication and high pain levels—were likely caused by the cumulative pressure from disc bulging and stenosis at every level from L1/2 to L5/S.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed
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
