Column Treatment Case Report No. 4｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 9, 2025
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In August 2025, the patient experienced severe, sharp pain when attempting to stand up from a bent-over position. As this was an ordinary daily movement, she could not pinpoint a specific cause. Following this, she developed intense pain on the outer side of her left thigh and subsequent numbness in her toes. The pain was so severe at times that she was unable to walk, and the numbness intensified. She received a nerve block injection at a local orthopedic clinic in early August 2025, but it had no effect.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10. Main areas of pain and numbness: lower back, left leg.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward: no change
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L3/4, in the left sciatic nerve region
Intermittent claudication: none
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Patient remains active, spending about half a day moving her body while tending her home vegetable garden.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Degeneration, bulging, HIZ (High-Intensity Zone)
L2/3: Degeneration, protrusion
L3/4: Degeneration, protrusion
L4/5: Degeneration, protrusion, bilateral foraminal stenosis
L5/S: Degeneration, left disc herniation
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Imaging confirmed degenerative disc changes, disc herniation, and foraminal stenosis from L1/2 through L5/S, all of which were considered possible sources of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/s.
The treatment was performed by Dr. Han.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
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
