Column Treatment Case Report No. 220｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 8, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had suffered episodes of acute back pain (lumbago) since his 20s, which had been managed conservatively with traction and other symptomatic treatments.
In February 2025, he developed low back pain during a yoga session. By March, the pain had progressed to the point where he had difficulty walking.
He visited a nearby orthopedic clinic, was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation, and was advised to undergo surgery, but he chose to manage the symptoms conservatively with nerve block injections.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
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, right leg.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms intensify with prolonged sitting.
Imaging and finding
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5: Disc degeneration
- L4/5: Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The herniation at L4/5 was considered the most likely cause of his walking difficulty.
・Disc degeneration at L2/3 and L3/4 was also noted and treated preventively.
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. Suematsu.
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
