Column Treatment Case Report No. 69｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
June 18, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In 2000, the patient suffered a left femoral trochanteric fracture due to a skiing accident. In 2015, he underwent total hip arthroplasty (hip replacement) following avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
In March 2025, after approximately one hour of walking, he suddenly noticed numbness and loss of sensation in his lower extremity. He visited a local orthopedic clinic, where he was diagnosed with intervertebral disc pathology and lumbar spinal stenosis. In September 2025, he sustained a compression fracture and returned to the orthopedic clinic, where he was fitted with a medical corset and managed under conservative treatment.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: midline lower back pain, pain/numbness on the anterior (front) aspect of the left lower limb.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: bilatral L3/4 level, and a subcutaneous lump detected in the left buttock area.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Skiing, mountain climbing, and walking twice a week.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Intervertebral disc degeneration.
L2/3: Intervertebral disc degeneration, right-sided bulging.
L3/4: Intervertebral disc degeneration, bulging, decreased disc height, bilateral foraminal stenosis (more severe on the left side), endplate degeneration.
L4/5: Intervertebral disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration.
L5/S1: Nothing unusual.
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
These imaging findings demonstrated degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, loss of disc height, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and endplate degeneration at L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5, which were considered the most likely causes of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4 and 4/5.
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
