Column Treatment Case Report No. 55｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
April 27, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has a long history of lower back issues, with persistent pain starting 5 to 6 years ago. Two years ago, she suffered vertebral compression fracture at T12 from lifting a heavy object, which was treated with bone cement surgery (vertebroplasty) at another hospital. Currently, she has been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis. A medical institution previously consulted has suggested surgical intervention if her symptoms worsen in the future.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
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 toes
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: indistinct (around L4/5)
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
No significant limitations specified
Imaging and findings
L1/2, L2/3, L3/4: Disc degeneration .
L4/5: Disc degeneration , annular tear, and bilateral foraminal stenosis.
L5/S: Disc degeneration , disc herniation, and annular tear.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
At L4/5 and L5/S1, disc degeneration, annular tears, foraminal stenosis, and lumbar disc herniation 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 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
