Column Treatment Case Report No.96 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 5, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had lower back pain for more than ten years, and his work involved a lot of squatting. He went to an orthopedic clinic but did not improve, and was told he might not be able to walk in the future. He is currently attending rehabilitation.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: Lower back and calves
Bending forward: mild lower back pain
Bending backward: midline of the lower back
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient has no history of regular exercise but takes walks for approximately one hour.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Disc degeneration
- L2/3: Foraminal stenosis
- L3/4: Disc degeneration and foraminal stenosis
- L4/5: Disc herniation, disc degeneration, and foraminal stenosis
- L5/S1: Disc herniation and disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
At L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1, disc herniation, disc degeneration, and foraminal stenosis were identified and considered highly likely to be the causes of the patient’s main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
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 walked out of the clinic on his own.
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
