Column Treatment Case Report No. 240｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
March 28, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In his 70s, the patient first experienced lower back pain after lifting a heavy object. Since then, he had episodes of acute lower back pain once or twice a year.
In November 2024, the patient developed pain extending from the lower back to the lower limb. He visited a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. Although managed conservatively with medication, his symptoms did not improve.
In December 2025, he consulted another orthopedic clinic and received a nerve block injection, which provided temporary relief. However, due to scheduling difficulties and limited sustained benefit, he discontinued visits.
While searching for alternative treatment options, he learned about our clinic and visited us for evaluation.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 8 | 2 | 6 |
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, right leg.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: mild pain in the lower limb
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: around the 100m mark
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen during walking and prolonged standing.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4: Lumbar disc herniation
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: Disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The L3/4 disc herniation is highly consistent with the patient’s symptoms and is considered the primary cause.
・Degenerative changes at L2/3, L4/5, and L5/S were also noted and addressed from a preventive perspective.
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. Suematsu.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 25 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by her own means.
Our Clinics’ Treatment
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
