Column Treatment Case Report No.255 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 3, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had never experienced any particular problems with her lower back. However, approximately two months ago, she developed pain in her shin while pulling weeds.
She visited a chiropractic clinic and other facilities, but her symptoms did not improve. She subsequently consulted a nearby orthopedic clinic, where she was told that a nerve was being compressed.
She was prescribed oral medication and was told that surgery would be considered if her condition did not improve. However, she was reluctant to undergo surgery.
Her older sister had previously received treatment at our Nagoya Clinic and experienced improvement, so the patient decided to visit our clinic.
Pre-treatment Symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower Back | Lower Limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 10 | 3 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain: right lower limb.
Bending forward: pain in the right lower leg
Bending backward: pain in the right buttock
Lasegue test: tightness in the right lower limb
Point of tenderness: right upper buttock
Intermittent claudication: positive. She can walk 100 m or less.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Her symptoms worsen when she walks with her back straight.
Imaging and findings
- L3/4: Disc herniation
- L5/S1: Annular tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
・The disc herniation at L3/4 is highly likely to be the cause of the main 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 25 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient walked out of the clinic on his own.
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
