Column Treatment Case Report No.257 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Tokyo Clinic)
October 17, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The Patient’s Medical History to Date
The patient first had an acute episode of lower back pain in his 20s, and it recurred several times.
He had been experiencing lower back pain for the past year. He tried stretching, manual therapy, and chiropractic treatment, but none proved effective.
He had previously been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and had been advised to undergo surgery.
Although he was considering having surgery, family circumstances made the timing difficult. He therefore visited our clinic to determine whether he was a suitable candidate for treatment here.
Symptoms Before Treatment
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower Back | Lower Limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 痛みの度合い | 7 | 7 | 3 | 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 pain, buttock pain (right > left), numbness in the back and outer side of the lower legs.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: pain occurs
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: right L4/5
Intermittent claudication: positive. He can walk 500 m or more.
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
His symptoms worsen if he persists in walking for too long.
Imaging and findings
- L4/5, 5/s: Disc degeneration
- L4/5: Spinal canal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The spinal canal stenosis at L4/5 is highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 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
Here is supplementary information about the Cellgel Method introduced in this case.
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
