Column Treatment Case Report No. 24｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
December 29, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient developed numbness in the legs approximately 5–6 years ago.
About three years prior, he underwent spinal fusion surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Following surgery, pain worsened during walking. He experienced numbness on the soles of his feet and discomfort in the thighs.
When he consulted an orthopedic clinic at another hospital, additional spinal fusion surgery was recommended. But, as he was seeking a less invasive treatment option, the patient decided to visit our clinic instead.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 9 | 10 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Bilateral lower back pain, pain and numbness below the calves on both sides, and bilateral buttock pain.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: right sacroiliac joint area
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Manual labor, golf
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No abnormal findings
L2/3: No abnormal findings
L3/4: Disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis, lumbar spinal canal stenosis
L5/S: Status post-spinal fusion
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on imaging, disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and spinal canal stenosis at L3/4 and L4/5 were identified and considered the most likely causes of the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ban.
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
