Column Treatment Case Report No. 72｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
July 2, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been suffering from low back pain since 2021. Around 2024, she was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. Despite conservative treatment, her symptoms did not improve. She was advised that, considering her age, she would simply have to live with the condition. Medication doses continued to increase, and even after seeking treatment at another clinic, she received only additional prescriptions without symptom relief.
After an acquaintance of hers underwent treatment at ILC Tokyo and recommended the clinic, she visited ILC International Lumbago Pain Clinic Nagoya for further evaluation.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 3 | 7 | 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 pain, right buttock pain
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: increased low back pain on the right side
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: right sacroiliac joint, right piriformis muscle, right sciatic nerve.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient is doing water walking three times per week (approximately one hour each session).
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Intervertebral disc degeneration, bulging, right foraminal stenosis.
L2/3: Intervertebral disc degeneration, bulging, right foraminal stenosis.
L3/4: Intervertebral disc degeneration, bulging.
L4/5: Intervertebral disc degeneration, disc height loss, left foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration.
L5/S1: Nothing unusual
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, loss of disc height, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration were identified at L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5. These findings were considered the most likely cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
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 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
