Column Treatment Case Report No. 28｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
January 19, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Ten years ago, the patient was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation at the L4/5 level. He underwent laser treatment at another hospital. While he was stable for two to three years after that treatment, his lower back pain recurred three years ago. He also experiences numbness in the tips of the toes on both feet. The symptoms flare up when he stoops/bends over. Pain also occurs when walking long distances, but the symptoms improve when leaning forward.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: Bilateral lumbar region, numbness in both sets of toes.
Forward Flexion: Worsening of back pain and numbness.
Backward Extension: Worsening of back pain.
Lasegue test: `Positive
Point of tenderness: L3/4, L4/5, L5/S
Intermittent claudication: None
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Played table tennis in his youth; has been taking up swimming recently.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Disc degeneration, endplate degeneration
L2/3: No abnormalities
L3/4: No abnormalities
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Degenerative disc disease, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration were observed, which are highly likely to be the causes of the primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2 and 4/5.
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
