Column Treatment Case Report No. 243｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
June 2, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has a history of lower back pain dating back approximately 15 years.
About 5 to 6 years ago, he began noticing numbness in his legs.
He visited another hospital about a year ago; over a period of 2 to 3 years, he consulted various medical institutions but was repeatedly told that his condition could not be cured.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Rolling over in bed: Moderately difficult
Standing up: Easy
Washing face (leaning forward): Easy
Mid-thigh posture / Prolonged standing: Extremely difficult
Prolonged sitting: Easy
Lifting/holding heavy objects: Extremely difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Area of Symptoms | Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
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 limitation
Bending backward: some limitations induced by pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5 – Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis
- L5/S – Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Spinal canal compression caused by the multi-level disc findings across L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S is identified as the highly likely cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment took about 45 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by his 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
