Column Treatment Case Report No. 235｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
May 1, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has suffered from lower back pain and right leg numbness for over 10 years.
She has a history of two past episodes of an acute strained back.
Possibly due to the changes in her gait, she experiences frequent falls.
Although she is currently on oral medication, she has noticed no significant therapeutic benefit.
She visited our clinic seeking symptomatic relief.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Symptoms were predominantly on the right side.
Rolling over in bed: Moderately difficult
Standing up: Moderately difficult
Washing face (leaning forward): Moderately difficult
Maintaining a bent-forward posture or standing position: Moderately difficult
Prolonged sitting: Moderately difficult
Lifting/holding heavy objects: Moderately difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
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, lower limbs.
Bending forward: triggers mild pain
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: pain triggered at 40 degrees on the right side
Point of tenderness: present at L3/4 on the left side and bilaterally at L5/S
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging, decreased disc height, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration.
- L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis.
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, and foraminal stenosis.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal caused by disc abnormalities at L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 was considered highly likely to be the primary cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 35 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
