Column Treatment Case Report No. 86｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
August 27, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
At the end of February 2026, she fell from the back of a light truck onto her left knee, resulting in lower back pain. At her regular clinic, she received nerve block injections at two sites. An X-ray revealed no fracture in her left knee. She attended physical therapy but saw no improvement, leading her to seek treatment at our clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
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 pain (right > left), left knee pain, and discomfort when bending the toes.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: bilateral at L3/4 and L4/5
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Abdominal and back muscle exercises.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Degeneration
L2/3: Degeneration and disc bulging
L3/4: Degeneration and disc bulging
L4/5: Degeneration, disc bulging, and bilateral foraminal stenosis (left > right)
L5/S: Nothing unusual
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Degeneration, bulging, and bilateral intervertebral foramen stenosis (left > right) were observed at L2/3, 3/4, and 4/5, which are highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 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
