Column Treatment Case Report No. 213｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
February 3, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had no prior history of significant low back pain episodes.
One year ago, he developed pain on the outer side of his left lower limb and was diagnosed with sciatica at another clinic.
His condition gradually worsened; three months ago, he began experiencing pain in his lower back and left buttock, along with pain and numbness in his left leg.
He was dissatisfied with the conservative care provided by his primary doctor—which was limited to oral medications, pain patches, and block injections—as he felt these were not addressing the root cause.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Rolling over in bed: Slightly difficult
Standing up: Slightly difficult
Washing face: Easy
Mid-crouch / Prolonged standing: Very difficult
Prolonged sitting: Easy
Lifting/Holding heavy objects: Slightly difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 9 | 6 | 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, left leg.
Bending forward: no problem
Bending backward: limited due to pain
Lasegue sign: none
Point of tenderness: L5/s
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Mild disc degeneration
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis
- L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging, foraminal stenosis
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, disc herniation, annular tear
- L5/S: Disc degeneration, disc herniation, endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal and nerve structures due to disc pathology at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S was considered highly likely to be the primary 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 45 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
