Column Treatment Case Report No. 142｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
June 03, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has chronic back pain.
He has had 3 episodes of strained back in the past, but each time he has recovered without seeing a doctor.
10 months ago, he experienced symptoms similar to those of a strained back when carrying a heavy object.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Symptoms were aggravated with coughing and when changing posture, as well as when standing up from a sitting position.
Turning over in bed: somewhat difficult
Standing up: very difficult
Washing one’s face: very difficult
Prolonged standing or semi-crouched position: somewhat difficult
Prolonged sitting: no problem
Lifting and carrying heavy objects: somewhat difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
Bending forward: painful
Bending backward: painful
Lasegue test: negative
MMT: full
Point of tenderness: none
Coughing and sneezing: aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, 4/5, 5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion, endplate degeneration
The above was also observed on the imaging.
Findings show that the compression of the spinal canal on discst L3/4, 4/5, and 5/s is the likely cause of the 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. Maruyama.
The treatment took about 40 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
