Column Treatment Case Report No. 45｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
March 23, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Approximately 4–5 years ago, the patient was diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis at one level, and he also experienced pain in the thighs.
Around February this year, pain in the lower back and legs worsened. After playing golf in March, he developed difficulty walking and now uses a cane. He reports significant numbness in both lower limbs. He is currently receiving medication at another clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
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, anterior and posterior aspects of both lower limbs, dorsum and sole of the right foot, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: pain in both calves
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: left sacroiliac joint
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Desk work.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No abnormalities
L2/3: Disc herniation, disc degeneration
L3/4: Disc degeneration
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis
L5/S: Disc degeneration, bilateral foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc herniation, disc degeneration, and bilateral foraminal stenosis at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S are considered highly likely to be the cause of the primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and5/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 by her own means.
Our Clinics’ Treatment
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
