Column Treatment Case Report No. 219｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 1, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Around age 60, the patient began experiencing discomfort in the legs and lower back.
In 2021, she visited a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar disc herniation. She was put on medication and physical rehabilitation for observation.
As her symptoms have not improved to date, she visited our clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
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: Worsened low back pain
Lasegue test: negative
Tenderness to Palpation: L4/5 right side, L3/4 both sides.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Impact on daily activities
Persistent symptoms while walking, sitting, and overall throughout daily life.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: disc degeneration
- L5: Retrolisthesis (spondylolisthesis)
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Degeneration observed at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S is most likely the main cause of 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 our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 20 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
