Column Treatment Case Report No. 60｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
May 18, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Ten years ago, the patient developed pain in the left buttock while sitting in a chair. She visited another clinic and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. Currently, pain in the right buttock worsens while sitting. She also experiences numbness extending from the right buttock to the toes, along with persistent tightness in the thigh. She had been receiving treatment at other hospitals, but was told by multiple institutions that little could be done for the buttock pain. She had also been receiving acupuncture treatments twice per month, but with limited improvement.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 2 | 9 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: right lower back, right thigh, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: present bilaterally along the sciatic nerve
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Occasionally helps someone out with work.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No remarkable findings.
L2/3: No remarkable findings.
L3/4: Mild disc degeneration
L4/5: Disc degeneration, annular tear, bilateral foraminal stenosis
L5/S1: Disc degeneration, annular tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings of disc degeneration, annulus fibrosus tears, and bilateral foraminal stenosis across L4/5 and L5/S are identified as the highly likely causes of the primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 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 20 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
