Column Treatment Case Report No. 228｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
December 24, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Until his 40s, the patient frequently experienced discomfort in the lower back.
In his 50s, he developed acute low back pain (lumbago) for the first time. Thereafter, his low back pain gradually worsened.
In October 2025, pain appeared in the buttock region. He was monitored conservatively while attending chiropractic treatment.
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 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
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.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L3/4 bilateral, L4/5 right, L5/s left
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen when assuming a lying position.
Imaging and findings
- Intervertebral disc degeneration at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1
- Disc herniation at L5/S1
- Annular tear at L4/5
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・An annular tear due to disc degeneration was observed at L4/5; treatment was considered from a preventive standpoint.
・A disc herniation was observed at L5/S1 and was considered highly likely to be the primary cause of the patient’s 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
