Column Treatment Case Report No. 151｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
June 26, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has suffered from back pain such as strained backs since he was young.
4 or 5 years ago, he started to feel discomfort when he walked and feeling heaviness in his back.
The pain itself improved after block injections, but he still felt some symptoms in his left hip.
Even though he is still able to play ground golf with occasional breaks, the distance he can walk in one time is gradually decreasing.
He has the impression that he is gradually getting worse.
He has had acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage, but nothing has worked so far.
At first, he was prescribed painkillers, but since they were ineffective, he stopped taking them.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
Turning over in bed: somewhat difficult
Standing up: somewhat difficult
Washing one’s face: no problem
Prolonged standing and semi-crouched posture: very difficult
Prolonged sitting: no problem
Lifting and carrying heavy objects: no problem
・Pain level before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the greatest possible pain is rated as 10.
Main symptom area: left lower back to left buttocks
Bending forward: no problem
Bending backward: somewhat limited due to pain
Lasegue test: negative
Lumbar point of tenderness: L5/S1 on the left side.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, 3/4, 5/s – disc degeneration, protrusion, foraminal stenosis
- L4/5 – disc degeneration, disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings show that the compression of the spinal canal on discs L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, and 5/s is the probable cause of symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 70 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
