Column Treatment Case Report No. 226｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
November 29, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had no issues with his back when he was young.
In 2023, after playing golf, pain began radiating down the right lower limb and has persisted since.
He visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, but conservative treatment did not improve his symptoms.
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 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
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, both lower limbs.
Forward bending: Pain in the hip joint
Backward Bending: Eases the pain.
Straight-leg raise test (Lasegue sign): Negative
Tenderness point: Negative
Intermittent claudication: Negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pain occurs while walking and during golfing.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S – Disc degeneration
- L4 – Anterior spondylolisthesisり
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Foraminal stenosis caused by disc degeneration at L4/5 and L5/S is considered the main source of symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
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
