Column Treatment Case Report No. 19｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
December 11, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been experiencing low back pain of unknown origin for approximately 11 years.
In October 2025, the pain progressed to severe, intense pain. She developed pain in the buttocks and the lateral aspects of both thighs.
She was advised to undergo surgery at a local medical facility, leading to the consultation at our clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main Pain Areas: Bilateral lower back, right hip joint, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: no exacerbation
Bending backward: no exacerbation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: Bilateral L3/4 and L4/5
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Kitchen-related work
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Intervertebral disc degeneration
L2/3: Disc degeneration with reduced disc height
L3/4: Disc degeneration, reduced height, disc bulging, lumbar spinal canal stenosis
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, reduced height, lumbar spinal canal stenosis, annular tear
L5/S1: Disc degeneration, reduced height, disc bulging
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on these findings, L3/4 and L4/5 showed disc degeneration, spinal canal stenosis, and annular tears, and were considered highly likely to be the primary sources of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ban.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 30 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
