Column Treatment Case Report No. 22｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
December 22, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has a long history of low back pain. The initial onset occurred around the age of 45, at which time he was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. He received treatment at another medical institution, where his pain improved following nerve block injections.
Around August of last year, his low back pain recurred. Subsequently, pain developed in the lower back and right leg. He underwent traction therapy and electrical stimulation at an orthopedic clinic. From October of this year, he received additional nerve block injections at another facility l; while the leg pain disappeared, the back pain persisted despite continuing medication.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: bilateral lower back, numbness in the outer right thigh, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: aggravation of lumbar pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: right L5/S1 region, right sacroiliac joint
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walks 7,000 to 10,000 steps daily.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Disc Degeneration
L2/3: Normal
L3/4: Disc Degeneration, Left Foraminal Stenosis
L4/5: Disc Degeneration, Herniated Disc, Spinal Canal Stenosis, Right Foraminal Stenosis
L5/S: Normal
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis were identified at L1/2, L3/4, and L4/5, which were considered highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s primary 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. Ban.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 30 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
