Column Treatment Case Report No. 221｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 15, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient first experienced acute lower back pain (lumbago) in his 40s and has since suffered recurrences about once a year.
In 2015, he was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation and underwent laser (PLDD) treatment, which initially relieved his symptoms. However, the pain later recurred after several years, and he continued conservative management.
In 2025, symptoms of leg pain and numbness appeared. He visited a local orthopedic clinic and was again diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. Although nerve block injections helped reduce the pain, the numbness persisted.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve his numbness symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 10 | 6 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: both legs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: positive (after walking a few hundred meters)
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain and numbness worsen while walking.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1: Disc degeneration
- L4/5: Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The L4/5 disc herniation is likely the main cause of his symptoms and may also explain the recurrent episodes of acute back pain.
・The L5/S1 degeneration is likely contributing to the pain and numbness in his lower limbs.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Suematsu.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 25 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
