Column Treatment Case Report No. 240｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Osaka Clinic)
May 22, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has suffered from lower back pain for the past 5 years.
His job involved lifting heavy items, which placed a continuous strain on his back.
Although his condition temporarily improved at one point, his lower back pain severely worsened after lifting a heavy object 2 to 3 years ago.
He visited another hospital and was diagnosed with degenerative spondylolisthesis.
He sought a consultation at our clinic with the goal of achieving symptomatic improvement.
Pre-treatment symptoms
Rolling over in bed: Easy
Standing up: Easy
Washing face (leaning forward): Easy
Maintaining a bent posture or prolonged standing: Unknown
Prolonged sitting: Easy
Lifting/holding heavy objects: Moderately difficult
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
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.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
Imaging and findings
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, bulging
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, herniated disc, and foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
These findings suggested compression of neural structures caused by abnormalities at L2/3 and L4/5, which was considered the most likely source of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3 and 4/5.
The treatment was performed by our administrative director, Dr. Kotera.
The treatment took about 25 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by his 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
