Column Treatment Case Report No. 49｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
April 6, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient used to work as a nurse for many years and believes this placed significant strain on her lower back. Four years ago, she woke up unable to stand due to pain in her lower back and legs. She was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. Currently, she is only taking pain medication. While walking, she experiences pain and numbness extending from the lower back and buttocks down to the toes, which improves after approximately two minutes of rest.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
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, bilateral posterior thighs.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: right L5/S region, right sciatic nerve area
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient previously enjoyed sprinting and balancing on one leg.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Nothing unusual
L2/3: Disc degeneration
L3/4: Spinal canal stenosis, disc degeneration, foraminal stenosis
L4/5: Spinal canal stenosis, disc degeneration, foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration
L5/S: Disc degeneration, foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Spinal canal stenosis, disc degeneration, foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration were identified at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, and were considered highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s main 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 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
