Column Treatment Case Report No. 41｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
March 9, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
His history of back issues began in his 50s with a severe episode of acute strained back that left him suddenly unable to walk at work. In September 2025, he was diagnosed with a disc herniation. He suffered from sciatica in his right leg, which was successfully managed with nerve blocks and contrast injections. In February 2026, his condition shifted: he began experiencing severe pain and numbness from his buttocks to his left leg, rendering him unable to walk. This time, nerve blocks failed to provide any improvement.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Left foot, left buttocks, and the back of the left leg.
Bending forward: Increased left buttock pain
Bending backward: Increased left buttock pain
Lasegue test: positive
Point of tenderness: Pressure pain noted at L5/S (left side), upper left buttocks, and along the sciatic nerve.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
He had been walking regularly until the symptoms worsened in September.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Normal
L2/3: Normal
L3/4: Normal
L4/5: Disc degeneration
L5/S1: disc degeneration, disc herniation, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The symptoms were attributed to disc degeneration, herniation and foraminal stenosis at the L4/5 and L5/S levels, which were likely compressing the nerve roots.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5 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 20 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
