Column Treatment Case Report No. 249｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
July 8, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In April 2026, the patient experienced lower back pain after carrying a heavy load.
He visited a nearby orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with sciatica.
He was initially placed under observation with symptomatic treatment. However, his symptoms did not improve, and he subsequently visited ILC International Lumbago Clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 7 | 4 | 8 |
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
Bending forward: Pain in the lower back
Bending backward: Pain in the lower back
Lasègue test: Negative
Tenderness: Generalized tenderness throughout the affected area
Intermittent claudication: Negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Symptoms aggravate when in a stooped/half-crouched posture.
Imaging and findings
- L5/S: Lumbar disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The imaging findings showed an L5/S disc herniation, which was considered highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the PODDMethod was performed on L5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Suematsu.
This is an image of the Discogel inserted into the intervertebral disc.
The treatment took about 10 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home by her own means.
Our Clinics’ Treatment
Supplemental Information about the PODD Method.
Cost:
¥330,000 (1 level, tax included) to ¥550,000 (up to 5 levels, tax included)
Cost in this case:
1 level = ¥330,000 (tax included)
There is a possibility of transient pain occurring after treatment. Due to the characteristics of the treatment, the possibility of nerve damage is not zero, but there are no reports of damage in our own cases or in medical literature. There is an extremely slight possibility of an allergic reaction to local anesthesia. Additionally, in cases where the intervertebral disc is crushed and almost gone, treatment may not be possible. Patients will consult with a doctor at the time of their visit to select a treatment method suitable for their condition.
Refer to the links below for additional information:
Our Clinic’s dedicated Page on the PODD Method
This article was written by: The Administrative Director of Our Clinic
