Column Treatment Case Report No. 53｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
April 20, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had one prior episode of strained back and has been suffering from lower back pain for over three years. He was previously diagnosed with disc herniation and spinal canal stenosis. In September, he underwent decompression surgery at another hospital. Although spinal fusion surgery was also recommended, he declined due to a reluctance to have metal implants remaining in his body.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 4 | 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: Bilateral lower back, left posterior (dorsal) lower limb, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: lower back pain on the left side
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L5/S on the left side
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Drives a trailer truck
Imaging and findings
L1/2: No anomaly
L2/3: No anomaly
L3/4: No anomaly
L4/5: Disc degeneration disease, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and annulus fibrosus tear.
L5/S: Disc degeneration disease and annular tear.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings of disc degeneration disease, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and annulus fibrosus tears at L4/5 and L5/S are identified as the highly likely causes of the primary symptoms.
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 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
