Column Treatment Case Report No.98 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 15, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
He taught sports one day a week, but stopped in July because his symptoms worsened. He had been receiving massage and acupuncture, but from the end of August the symptoms in the back of his thighs worsened, and it became difficult for him to walk straight. His symptoms fluctuate from day to day.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | ６ | ６ | ６ | ５ |
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 on both sides; pain and numbness in the back of both lower limbs; pain in both buttocks.
Bending forward: OK
Bending backward: back of both thighs
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: both ischial regions
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Table tennis, machine training.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Disc degeneration
L2/3: Mild disc degeneration, bulging, loss of disc height, Schmorl’s node
L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, spinal canal stenosis, right foraminal stenosis, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, endplate degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis (sciatic nerve pain ++)
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, bulging, spinal canal stenosis, right foraminal stenosis, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, and endplate degeneration are seen at L3/4, 4/5 and 5/S, and these are highly likely to be the cause of the 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 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 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
