Column Treatment Case Report No. 196｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
November 25, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient does not recall a specific episode that injured his back but had been playing golf consistently for aa long time.
He has been taking pain medication for approximately 3 years, without perceivable improvement.
He vaguely recalls injuring his back 20–30 years ago, but the pain gradually improved, so he did not seek treatment.
Primary doctor suggested a wait-and-see approach, with no clear explanation regarding the cause. The patient does not wish to undergo surgery.
The gradual worsening of numbness, led him to seek treatment at our clinic.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
| Activity | Difficulty Level |
| Turning in bed | Easy |
| Standing up | Easy |
| Forward bending for face washing | Easy |
| Semi-crouched posture / Prolonged standing | Easy |
| Prolonged sitting | Easy |
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 3 | 5 | 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, lower limbs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: Mild tenderness on L3/4 (bilateral) and L4/5 (right)
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Disc Degeneration.
- L2/3, L5/S: Disc Degeneration, Bulging.
- L3/4: Disc Degeneration, Bulging, Mild Spinal Canal Stenosis.
- L4/5: Disc Degeneration, Bulging, Spinal Canal Stenosis.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Spinal canal compression due to disc findings (degeneration, bulging, and stenosis) at L3/4 and L4/5 is highly likely the cause of the symptoms.
Findings at L2/3 and L5/S are thought to contribute minimally to the current symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
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
