Column Treatment Case Report No. 220｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
March 6, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been experiencing lower back pain for two months.
One year earlier, she had been diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis. Although the herniation had once improved, the symptoms later recurred.
Due to the pain, she had been visiting a pain clinic until about one month ago, where nerve block injections provided temporary improvement.
The patient visited our clinic seeking a more fundamental treatment approach.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Turning over in bed: Easy
Standing up: Slightly difficult
Washing face (bending posture): Slightly difficult
Maintaining a bent-forward posture or standing position: Slightly difficult
Sitting for long periods: Slightly difficult
Lifting or holding heavy objects: Unknown
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 4 | 3 | 7 |
Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, lower limbs.
Main area of pain and numbness: from the lower back to the lower limbs.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, L3/4, L5/S: Disc degeneration
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, disc herniation, degenerative spondylolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal caused by disc abnormalities 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 our administrative director, Dr. Kotera.
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
