Column Treatment Case Report No. 52｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
April 16, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Medical History: Over seven years ago, the patient suffered a fall in a field. Although she felt no pain at the time, symptoms emerged later and began to worsen significantly between two years ago and last year. She was diagnosed with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) and sciatica, for which she has been attending rehabilitation sessions two to three times a week. While symptoms improve immediately after rehabilitation, she experiences intense pain and numbness in her lower limbs at all other times.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
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 pain, bilateral posterior thigh pain/numbness, and numbness in both soles
Bending forward: aggravation of lower back pain
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5 and L5/S1
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walking (strolls).
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No anomaly
L2/3: Disc degeneration and disc bulging
L3/4: Disc degeneration and left-sided disc herniation
L4/5: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, annular tear, and left foraminal stenosis
L5/S1: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, and right foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
At L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1, disc degeneration, lumbar disc herniation, and foraminal stenosis were identified and considered highly likely to be the primary causes of the patient’s 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 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
