Column Treatment Case Report No. 30｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
January 26, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient first developed back pain at the age of 16 due to strenuous physical labor at work and was diagnosed with sciatica. In October 2025, he experienced a new onset of pain in his lower right back. The pain worsened when lifting his legs, putting on shoes, or walking. In November, he was diagnosed with disc degeneration at another clinic. Loxoprofen (Loxonin) was prescribed but proved ineffective, though he found some relief with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: right buttock, anterior and posterior aspects of the right thigh
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: pain in the left lower limb
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: none
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Radio calisthenics, weight training.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No anomalies.
L2/3: Degenerative disc disease.
L3/4: Degenerative disc disease.
L4/5: Degenerative disc disease, bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L5/S: Complete loss of disc height.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Based on these findings, degenerative disc disease and foraminal stenosis at L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 were considered the most likely causes of the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4 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
