Column Treatment Case Report No. 27｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
January 16, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has experienced numbness for approximately 10 years, with symptoms gradually worsening over time.
He is aware of having poor posture and reduced muscle strength, and reports that there is no specific posture that alleviates symptoms. Also, maintaining the same position for prolonged periods intensifies the numbness.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: bilateral low back pain, bilateral buttock pain, bilateral lower limb pain and numbness
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Bending forward: possible
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
He regularly practices golf and performs light stretching.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Normal
L2/3: Normal
L3/4: Mild intervertebral disc degeneration
L4/5: Disc bulging
L5/S1: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, spondylolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Intervertebral disc degeneration and spondylolisthesis were observed and are considered highly likely contributors to the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Ban.
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 unaided.
Our clinic’s treatment method
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
