Column Treatment Case Report No. 246｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
June 6, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2025, the patient developed pain in his left leg. He received symptomatic treatment at an osteopathic clinic, and his symptoms improved.
In March 2026, the pain in his left leg recurred. He visited a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. A nerve block injection was administered in April; however, his symptoms did not improve.
Surgery was recommended, but the patient felt hesitant about it. While exploring alternative treatment options, he visited our clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 7 | 1 | 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, lower limbs.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: pain in the lower limbs
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: positive (appears after walking about 500m)
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms aggravated when walking.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4: Lumbar disc herniation
- L2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/S: Disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・Based on the imaging findings and clinical presentation, the L3/4 lumbar disc herniation was considered the most likely cause of the patient’s primary 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 our administrative director, Dr. Minowa.
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 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
