Column Treatment Case Report No. 234｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
February 14, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient first experienced lower back pain at the age of 45. The pain improved within a day. Afterward, she began experiencing back pain 1-2 times a year.
This year, after returning from a trip, the back pain symptoms continued.
She visited our clinic seeking a fundamental treatment to address the root cause.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
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: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient has been experiencing constant pain in daily activities recently.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: Disc degeneration
- L4/5, L5/S: Disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・These findings suggest that the herniation at L4/5 and L5/S is the most likely 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 Dr. Iwasaki
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 35 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
