Column Treatment Case Report No. 187｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
October 24, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient first felt discomfort in the right lower back 3–4 years ago. He visited another clinic and was told it was due to aging.
Pain in the right lower limb appeared bout a year and a half ago, and more recently, numbness in the toes. He finds the numbness more difficult to cope with than the pain.
Recently, the left side has also become slightly painful, which he feels has spread from the right.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Turning over in bed: easy
Standing up: easy
Washing face: easy
Maintaining a half-bent or standing posture: somewhat difficult
Sitting for long periods: somewhat difficult
Lifting or holding heavy objects: somewhat difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 |
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 to lower limbs, right leg.
Bending forward: Restricted due to pain
Bending backward: Restricted due to pain
Lasegue test: Discomfort in the buttock at 30 degrees (Right side).
Point of tenderness: L3/4、4/5、5/s on the right side
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis
- L4/5, L5/S1: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on imaging, spinal canal compression due to disc findings at L3/4 was considered the most likely cause of symptoms.
Although the disc findings at L4/5 and L5/S appear to contribute little to the current symptoms, they have potential for future impact.
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. Ohara.
The treatment took about 40 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
