Column Treatment Case Report No. 36｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
February 16, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
At approximately 55 years of age, the patient began experiencing numbness in her calves while walking.
At another medical institution, she was diagnosed with lumbar spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: numbness in both outer thighs and outer calves.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L5/S in the middle part
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Pilates, exercise classes, and aquatic walking.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No anomaly
L2/3: No anomaly
L3/4: Disc degeneration
L4/5: Disc degeneration, spinal canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis
L5/S: Disc degeneration, annular tear
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, in addition to spinal canal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, and annular tear, were considered highly likely to be responsible for the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 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 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
