Column Treatment Case Report No. 243｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
May 2, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient first experienced acute low back pain in his 30s and was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. His symptoms improved with pain medication.
After that, he continued to experience recurrent episodes of acute low back pain every few years. Over time, however, the interval between episodes became shorter, eventually progressing to chronic low back pain.
While searching for more effective treatment options, he learned about our clinic and decided to visit.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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, right buttock.
Bending forward: no change in symptoms
Bending backward: triggers symptoms in the lower limbs
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: present in the left buttock
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms worsen during forward-bending motions (such as putting on socks), while lying down, and when rising from a chair.
Imaging and findings
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: Disc Degeneration Disease
- L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S: Annulus Fibrosus Tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Disc degeneration and annular tears at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 were considered highly likely to be the underlying cause of the patient’s recurrent episodes of acute low back pain and chronic low back pain.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 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 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
