Column Treatment Case Report No. 212｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
January 30, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
No prior history of low back pain.
Diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis at another hospital 3–4 years ago.
Surgical treatment was recommended, but the patient declined and opted for conservative management with oral medication.
About one year ago, symptoms in the lower extremities appeared.
Recently, numbness has worsened and began to interfere with walking.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Symptoms are predominantly on the right side.
Turning over in bed: extremely difficult
Standing up: somewhat difficult
Washing face: somewhat difficult
Maintaining a half-bent posture or standing: somewhat difficult
Prolonged sitting: easy
Lifting or holding heavy objects: somewhat difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 |
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: limited due to pain
Bending backward: limited due to pain
Lasegue test: Right side 30°, Left side 15°
Point of tenderness: L3/4 and L4/5 levels on both sides
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Disc degeneration, bulging, mild foraminal stenosis
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis
- L5/S: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal due to disc pathology at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S 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, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 40 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
