Column Treatment Case Report No. 198｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
December 2, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Approximately 5 years ago: Symptoms began to appear, especially noticeable upon waking, likely exacerbated by prolonged PC work or driving.
Severe symptoms occur when rising from bed. Sitting is tolerable, but standing up induces pain.
Approximately two years ago, numbness extending to the right thigh appeared upon waking. The patient visited another hospital and was diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Symptoms dominant on the right side.
| Daily Movement | Level of Difficulty |
| Turning in bed | Slightly difficult |
| Standing up | Slightly difficult |
| Washing face | Easy |
| Forward bending & sustained standing | Slightly difficult |
| Prolonged sitting | Slightly difficult |
| Lifting/holding heavy objects | Unknown |
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
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 limb on the right side.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, L5/S: Intervertebral disc degeneration and bulging
- L4/5: Intervertebral disc degeneration, bulging, degenerative spondylolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal caused by disc abnormalities at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S was considered the most likely source of symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 35 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
