Column Treatment Case Report No. 32｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
February 2, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had experienced symptoms for approximately 10 years, with no clearly identifiable trigger. She was previously diagnosed with spondylolisthesis and spinal canal stenosis. In 2019, she underwent surgery involving a 5 cm incision and partial bone resection. Last year, she also received laser treatment. Despite these interventions, she was recently told that further surgery is not an option due to her advanced age. She experiences daily pain and finds walking extremely difficult.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 8 | 4 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Bilateral lower back, left knee, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: aggravation of lower back pain
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: Right L2/3, L3/4, L4/5; bilateral L5/S
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Attends day service once a week; enjoys walking for exercise.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No anomaly
L2/3: Disc degeneration
L3/4: Disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis
L4/5: Disc degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration and foraminal stenosis at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S were considered highly likely to be the primary causes of her symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 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 40 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
