Column Treatment Case Report No. 205｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
December 26, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient developed lumbar disc herniation in her 30s, which improved with conservative treatment.
Approximately 10 years ago, she was diagnosed with lumbar spinal canal stenosis at another hospital and underwent surgery.
However, her condition did not fully stabilize after surgery, and she continued to receive periodic analgesic injections every few months.
Four months prior to visiting our clinic, she began experiencing pain in the right lower extremity. Upon consultation at another medical facility, she was diagnosed with degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Although she did not report severe lumbar pain, she described a persistent heavy sensation in the lower back.
She visited our clinic seeking improvement of her symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Turning over in bed: Slightly difficult
Standing up from a seated position: Slightly difficult
Washing face: No difficulty
Maintaining a bent or standing posture: Slightly difficult
Prolonged sitting: Extremely difficult
Lifting or holding heavy objects: Slightly difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower Back | Lower Limb | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain Level | 3 | 9 | 2 | 3 |
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/buttock area, right lower limb.
Forward Bending: No issues
Backward Bending: No issues
Lasegue’s Sign: None
Lumbar Pressure Points: None
Coughing/Sneezing: No aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, foraminal stenosis
- L3/4, L5/S: Disc degeneration and bulging
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on these findings, compression of the spinal canal due to disc pathology at L2/3 and L4/5 was considered the most likely cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 25 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
