Column Treatment Case Report No. 131｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
April 26, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 30s, from China.
The patient’s medical history to date
When the patient was 16 years old, he felt a snapping sound in his lower back when he stood up. He has had lower back pain ever since.
For the past 11 years, he has had occasional back pain and a dull ache in his right hip.
The latest onset was 3 months ago.
The patient came to our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Turning over in bed: no problem
Standing up: no problem
Washing one’s face: no problem
Prolonged standing and semi-crouched position: somewhat difficult
Prolonged sitting: somewhat difficult
Lifting and carrying heavy objects: extremely difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 10 | 0 | 8 |
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, right buttock.
Bending forward: possible
Bending backward: possible
Lasegue test: negative
MMT: full
Lumbar point of tenderness: dull pain on discs L3/4 and 4/5 on the right side
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L5/s – disc herniation, foraminal stenosis on the right side, spondylolisthesis on both sides
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings show that compression of the spinal canal on disc L5/s is the most probable cause of the pain.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 45 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
Our clinic’s treatment method
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
This article was written by the Administrative Director of our clinic
