Column Treatment Case Report No. 210｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
June 23, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had occasional strained backs since she was in her 30s.
She first started experiencing numbness in her left leg in 2018.
Around 2020, she felt pain in both lower limbs and visited her local orthopedic doctor, who diagnosed her with spinal canal stenosis. The patient was put on medication and told to monitor her condition.
The patient decided to visit our clinic because she felt no relief from pain.
Symptoms before treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
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, both lower limbs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: around disc L4
Walking ability is compromised after walking 200m or less
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms intensify when walking.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2,2/3,3/4,4/5- Disc degeneration
- L4/5- Spinal canal stenosis
- L4- Anterolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・L1/2,2/3,3/4 – disc degeneration was observed, and is the probable cause of the symptoms.
・L4/5 – spinal canal stenosis and foraminal stenosis were observed, and are the probable causes of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Suematsu.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 35 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by herself.
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
