Column Treatment Case Report No. 236｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
May 8, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Since his 20s, the patient has been suffering frequently from a strained back during the winter season.
For the past 10 years, he has experienced persistent lower back, buttocks, and lower limb pain.
Although he visited an orthopedic clinic at another hospital, no definitive diagnosis was given; he was placed under observation with nerve block injections, which failed to improve his condition.
Over the last two weeks, he has increasingly experienced excruciating pain across his entire lower back, both buttocks, and down to his toes at the start of any movement.
Due to work commitments, he was unable to undergo inpatient surgery and visited our clinic seeking same-day outpatient treatment.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Rolling over in bed: Moderately difficult
Standing up: Moderately difficult
Washing face (leaning forward): Easy
Maintaining bent posture or standing: Moderately difficult
Prolonged sitting: Extremely difficult
Lifting/holding heavy objects: Extremely difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 3 | 9 |
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: no aggravation
Bending backward: range of motion is preserved, but induces pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Coughing and sneezing: causes a radiating sensation of discomfort
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Treatment
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging (suspected traces of prior disc herniation).
- L3/4, L5/S: Disc degeneration, disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, and spinal canal stenosis.
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal caused by disc abnormalities at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 was considered the most likely cause of the patient’s symptoms.
The L2/3 findings were considered less likely to be clinically significant based on symptom correlation.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 30 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
