Column Treatment Case Report No. 223｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 29, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had an intervertebral disc herniation removal surgery 35 years ago due to back pain, which improved his symptoms.
Around September 2025, he developed pain in his left lower limb and visited a nearby orthopedic clinic, where he was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis.
He was advised to monitor his condition with symptomatic treatment, but he visited our clinic at the suggestion of his family.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: left lower limb
Bending forward: symptoms worsen slightly
Bending backward: no change
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 walking
Imaging and findings
| Level | Findings |
| L4/L5, L5/S | Disc degeneration |
| L4/L5 | Lumbar disc herniation |
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The disc herniation at L4/L5 is the most likely cause of the patient’s symptoms.
・The foraminal stenosis at L5/S, caused by disc degeneration, may also be contributing to the symptoms.
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 Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
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
