Column Treatment Case Report No. 11｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
November 10, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had a history of chronic lower back problems for several years. Symptoms began after lifting a large table. She was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation in October of last year.
In January, pain began to appear in the posterior thigh, and by March she became unable to walk, forcing her to take a leave from work. In April, she underwent eight nerve block injections at another clinic, which improved her symptoms temporarily. While the pain partially subsided, it did not fully resolve. She was advised to continue with conservative treatment.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 8 | 1 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Right lower back, right buttock, and posterior aspect of the right lower limb.
Forward bending: Pain in right calf
Backward bending: Pain in right posterior thigh
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
No specific restrictions noted.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No abnormalities
L2/3: No abnormalities
L3/4: No abnormalities
L4/5: Disc degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration, disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Degeneration and herniation at L4/5 and L5/S are considered the most likely causes of the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 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 20 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home unaided.
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
