Column Treatment Case Report No. 93｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
September 24, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Running has been his hobby since around 2006. At that time he ran 10 km at a pace of just under 6 minutes, but in 2023 it began to take more than 7 minutes, and he developed low back pain, hip joint pain, and ankle pain. He visited a nearby clinic and was treated with electrotherapy and pain patches but symptoms did not improve. He was diagnosed with LSS (lumbar spinal stenosis) on MRI and it was managed with oral medication. As his running speed gradually declined, he switched to walking, and now walks 6 km four times a week. He always feels pain in the lower back and groin unless he leans forward.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: both sides of the lower back, both legs.
Bending forward: pain in the back of the thighs
Bending backward: pain in the back of the thighs
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5, L5/S, and both sacroiliac joints
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walking approximately 20,000 steps per day
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Disc degeneration, bulging
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging
- L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, LSS, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
- L5/S: Mild disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on the imaging findings, the patient had disc degeneration, disc bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, and ligamentum flavum thickening at L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5.
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
