Column Treatment Case Report No. 222｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 22, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
When he was in his twenties, the patient suddenly felt pain in his lower back, which improved over time.
Two years ago, he again began to feel pain in his lower back. Since he also experienced pain in his left lower limb, he visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis.
Although he was under observation and symptomatic treatment, his condition worsened, leading him to visit our clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 0 | 0 | 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.
Forward Bending: Aggravation of lower back pain.
Backward Bending: Aggravation of lower back pain.
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4
Intermittent claudication: positive (after walking for a few hundred meters)
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen when bending forward or lifting heavy objects.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, L5/S: Degenerative Disc Disease
- L4: Anterolisthesis (forward slip)
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・These findings suggest that the main cause of symptoms was disc degeneration at L4/5 and L5/S1.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Iwasaki
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
