Column Treatment Case Report No. 17｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
December 4, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In early July 2025, the patient developed pain and numbness in the buttocks and the left lower limb. He became unable to stabilize his left knee and was unable to continue walking for long distances.
He underwent two block injections to the affected area and received lumbar traction and low-frequency therapy every two days.
More than 10 years ago, the patient had lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) surgery at another hospital.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Primary pain regions: Bilateral low back pain, buttock pain, pain and numbness in the lower limbs.
| Physical Test / Motion | Findings |
| Forward flexion | No aggravation |
| Backward extension | Increased pain in left lumbar region |
| Straight leg raise (Lasegue test) | Negative |
| Point of tenderness | L3/4, L4/5, L5/S |
| Intermittent claudication | Negative |
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities:
Farming activities, playing golf
Imaging and findings
| Level | Findings |
| L1/2 | Degeneration |
| L2/3 | Degeneration, bulging |
| L3/4 | Degeneration, bulging, spinal canal stenosis, left foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration |
| L4/5 | Degeneration, bulging, annulus fibrosus tear, left foraminal stenosis |
| L5/S | Degeneration, bulging, reduced disc height |
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Stenosis of the spinal canal and foramina, annular fissure, disc degeneration, and endplate degeneration at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S were considered highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s primary 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. Ban.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 40 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk out of the clinic 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
