Column Treatment Case Report No. 47｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
March 30, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient began experiencing pain due to sciatica around September 2025. The pain initially started in the buttocks and worsened when sneezing. Golf and bending forward (semi-flexed posture) aggravated the symptoms.
The sciatica showed a tendency to worsen, with a sensation of tightness and stiffness in the posterior thighs and calves.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: both sides of the lower back, posterior thighs, and buttocks
Bending forward: pain in both thighs
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Golf, deskwork
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No abnormalities
L2/3: Disc degeneration
L3/4: Disc degeneration
L4/5: Spinal canal stenosis, bilateral foraminal stenosis, disc degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Spinal canal stenosis, disc degeneration, and foraminal stenosis at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S are considered the most likely causes of the patient’s primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed.
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 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
