Column Treatment Case Report No. 231｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
April 17, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Two years ago, the patient began experiencing pain in the right groin when rising from a seated position.
An MRI at another hospital led to a diagnosis of spinal canal stenosis.
As he was not considered a candidate for surgery at that time, he was treated with oral medication, which resolved the groin pain.
However, in the past one year ago, pain emerged in the right lower back and lower limbs, accompanied by numbness in the right leg.
While he is typically pain-free, symptoms trigger during long-distance walking or when maintaining the same posture for extended periods.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Rolling over in bed: Moderately difficult
Standing up: Moderately difficult
Washing face (leaning forward): Easy
Maintaining a bent-forward posture or standing position: Moderately difficult
Prolonged sitting: Easy
Lifting/holding heavy objects: Moderately difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
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, lower limbs.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L5/s on the right side
Coughing and sneezing: no aggravation
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, L5/S: Disc degeneration, bulging, and foraminal stenosis.
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, herniated disc, foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, and endplate degeneration.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Compression of the spinal canal caused by abnormalities at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 was considered highly likely to be the source of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ohara.
The treatment took about 30 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by her own means.
Our Clinics’ Treatment
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
