Column Treatment Case Report No. 215｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
February 10, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has experienced recurrent pain due to lumbar disc herniation for over 10 years, experiencing periodic flare-ups of pain.
Typically, when symptoms occur, walking becomes difficult, but he usually finds relief after about a week of using a corset.
Two weeks ago, his condition worsened. The day after feeling a strange sensation in his back, he found himself unable to get out of bed.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
At the time of the patient’s visit, symptoms had already somewhat improved.
Turning over in bed: Slightly difficult
Standing up: Slightly difficult
Washing face: Slightly difficult
Maintaining a half-bent posture or standing: Slightly difficult
Prolonged sitting: Very difficult
Lifting/holding heavy objects: Very difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
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 area.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Coughing and sneezing: aggravation can occur
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, L4/5: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, foraminal stenosis
- L5/S: Disc degeneration, disc herniation, foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Spinal canal compression due to disc pathology at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S is considered the most likely cause of the symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 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
