Column Treatment Case Report No. 62｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
May 26, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Two years ago, the patient experienced his first acute strained back on the left side while working, which was resolved naturally. Approximately one year ago, he developed lower back pain from a traffic accident, which improved through outpatient treatment. However, over the last four months, his condition has progressively worsened, and lower limb symptoms manifested 2 to 3 months ago. He is currently receiving outpatient care at another orthopedic clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: left lower back, posterior aspect of the left lower limb radiating down to the left calf, and left buttocks.
Bending forward: induces pain in the left calf
Bending backward: induces pain in the left thigh
Lasegue test: positive
Point of tenderness: present around the left sacroiliac joint
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Practiced karate and judo during his student years.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Nothing unusual
L2/3: Annular tear
L3/4: Disc degeneration disease
L4/5: Herniated disc, disc degeneration disease, and endplate degeneration
L5/S: Nothing unusual
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Findings of a herniated disc, disc degeneration disease, and endplate degeneration at L4/5 were identified as the highly likely causes of his primary symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L4/5.
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 his 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
