Column Treatment Case Report No. 43｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
March 16, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has experienced low back pain since a young age. In 2012, she developed hip joint pain and was diagnosed with lumbar spinal canal stenosis at L3/4 and L4/5. Symptoms worsened around December last year. Weight-bearing on the right side causes radiating pain in the lower limb. She is unable to run, and walking is painful. She has received IV treatment and rehabilitation for acute low back pain (lumbar sprain).
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
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 pain.
Bending forward: Increased pain in the lower back on the right side
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: Right L5/S, bilateral sacroiliac joints
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Her work involves standing all day long.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No abnormalities
L2/3: No abnormalities
L3/4: No abnormalities
L4/5: Disc degeneration, lumbar disc herniation, left foraminal stenosis
L5/S: Disc degeneration, lumbar disc herniation, endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
These findings indicate that abnormalities at L4/5 and L5/S (disc degeneration, herniation, left foraminal stenosis, and endplate changes) are highly likely to be the primary cause of symptoms.
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 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
