Column Treatment Case Report No. 120｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
March 29, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
About 6 months ago, the patient experienced acute low back pain, to the point where he was unable to get up.
He went to the emergencies, but was only treated with suppositories.
3 months ago, the pain disappeared.
One month ago, he experienced a flare-up of low back pain which was aggravated when he adopted a seated or semi-crouched position.
A local doctor diagnosed disc herniation.
The patient came to our clinic to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
The left lower limb is most symptomatic on the external surface.
Turning over in bed: no difficulty
Standing up: somewhat difficult
Washing one’s face: somewhat difficult
Prolonged standing: very difficult
Prolonged sitting: very difficult
lifting and carrying heavy objects: very difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 8 | 8 | 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, lower limbs.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4 – disc degeneration
- L4/5 – disc degeneration, protrusion, light disc herniation
- L5/s – disc degeneration, disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc findings in L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s show that compression of the spinal canal is the most probable cause of low back pain.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 30 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by herself.
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
