Column Treatment Case Report No. 59｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
May 14, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around 5 years ago, the patient began experiencing lower back pain when bending backward or twisting to the right. His symptoms typically worsen when standing. He has a history of an acute strained back in his youth (around his 30s). He had been monitoring the condition while receiving chiropractic and bodywork.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Primary Pain Areas: Bilateral lower back pain, along with pain and numbness on the anterior (ventral) and lateral sides of the right thigh.
Bending forward: no exacerbation of symptoms
Bending backward: no exacerbation of symptoms
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: present bilaterally at L3/4 and on the right side of L4/5
Intermittent Claudication: Negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walking the dog for approximately 10–15 minutes every day.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Disc degeneration.
L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging.
L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging.
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration.
L5/S: Disc degeneration, endplate degeneration.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The clinic determined that the findings at L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 — including disc degeneration, disc bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration — were the most likely causes 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 procedure was performed by Dr. Ban.
Post-procedure imaging after the Discogel injection
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
