Column Treatment Case Report No.256 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 14, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient worked in a job that involved lifting heavy objects and first experienced an acute episode of lower back pain in his 20s. These episodes recurred several times.
He developed numbness in his right lower limb. This subsequently improved, but numbness then appeared in his left lower limb.
After visiting an orthopedic clinic, he was diagnosed with disc herniation.
He was getting massage and electrical stimulation therapy, but stopped attending during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After seeing an article in a newspaper, he visited our clinic hoping to regain the ability to walk.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower Back | Lower Limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower limbs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: right L3/4, right L4/5
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
His symptoms worsen when he is active.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 4/5: Disc herniation
- L3/4, 5/s: Disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The disc herniation at L2/3 and 4/5 is highly likely to be the cause of the main 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 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
Here is supplementary information about the Cellgel Method introduced in this case.
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
