Column Treatment Case Report No. 76｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
July 16, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Right lower back pain first appeared in 2021. Due to lifting heavy objects and walking long distances at work, numbness also developed in the right lower extremity down to the calf. It was also previously observed that he had fluid accumulation in his knees and ankles and that he might have gout. His primary care physician prescribed only pain relievers; as they gradually lost efficacy, he visited our clinic for evaluation.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 9 | 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 pain, right lower extremity pain/numbness, right buttock pain
Bending forward: nothing unusual
Bending backward: triggers lower back pain on the right side
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/L5 and L5/S1 (Right side)
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
He practiced karate when he was younger and currently plays golf.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, severe disc height loss, bilateral foraminal stenosis
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, severe disc height loss, bilateral foraminal stenosis (pain + on palpation)
- L3/4: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, disc height loss, ligamentum flavum thickening, spinal canal stenosis, bilateral foraminal stenosis
- L4/5: Disc disappearance, right foraminal stenosis
- L5/S: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, left ligamentum flavum thickening, spinal canal stenosis (pain +++ on palpation)
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
At L2/3, L3/4, and L5/S, disc degeneration, disc bulging, disc height loss, ligamentum flavum thickening, spinal canal stenosis, and bilateral foraminal stenosis were observed and are considered likely causes of the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 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 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
