Column Treatment Case Report No.99 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 19, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had experienced lower back pain since she was young, but it usually subsided quickly. She experienced an episode where she fell off stairs and fractured her coccyx.
One year ago: She developed pain on the left side of her lower back while doing abdominal muscle exercises and was diagnosed with disc herniation. At times, she was also told that she had spondylolisthesis.
Two to three days ago: Her symptoms gradually worsened without any particular trigger, and the pain began extending down to her ankle. She found it difficult to walk. More recently, she also noticed discomfort on the right side.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: left lower back, back of the left lower limb extending to the toes, and left buttock.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: left lower back
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: left sacroiliac joint, left ischium bone
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
She played tennis when she was young, but does not currently.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Nothing unusual
L2/3: Nothing unusual
L3/4: Nothing unusual
L4/5: Disc bulging
L5/S: Disc herniation, disc degeneration, and annular tear
These findings were identified on the imaging examination.
Disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, and an annular tear are seen at L5/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 L5/S.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ban.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 10 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient walked out of the clinic on her 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
