Column Treatment Case Report No. 58｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
May 11, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has no history of acute strained back. Although she had felt a dull heaviness in her lower back since her youth, it was never severe enough to cause concern until recently. Upon visiting a local orthopedic clinic for the first time, she was diagnosed with advanced disc depletion, being told her intervertebral discs were almost entirely gone. In October 2025, she suffered a knee fracture from a fall, requiring hospitalization. Following her discharge, she spent a significant amount of time sitting at a kotatsu (heated low covered table) using a Yogibo beanbag cushion, which she suspects may have triggered or worsened her current lower back pain.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: bilateral low back pain
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Previously practiced yoga, but not currently.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Nothing significant
L2/3: Nothing significant
L3/4: Disc degeneration disease
L4/5: Disc degeneration disease, left-sided foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration disease and endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The clinic determined that the disc degeneration, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S were the most likely causes of the patient’s symptoms.
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. Ban.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
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
