Column Treatment Case Report No. 199｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
April 02, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around 2015, the patient developed back pain, and visited a local orthopedic surgeon, where he was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis. He went to physical therapy and temporarily improved as a result.
Around the fall of 2024, he developed lower back pain again. He attended physical therapy, but this time the improvement was only temporary.
After learning of our clinic, he came to see us to improve his symptoms.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
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, base of the legs.
Forward bending: no change
Back bending: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5 left, 3/4 on the right side
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
After standing for 20-30 minutes, the patient feels severe pain in the lower back when sitting in a chair.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3,3/4,4/5,5/s-disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L4/5- Foraminal stenosis due to protrusion caused by disc degeneration, which is the most probable cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consultation with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 15 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by himself.
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
