Column Treatment Case Report No. 70｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
June 22, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 50s.
The patient’s medical history to date
About 20 years ago, the patient developed lower back pain after adopting an overly strenuous posture while working. He was diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation, which subsequently improved under observation. Although the pain flared up occasionally over the years, it typically resolved after a few months of acupuncture and massage therapy.
In January 2025, his back pain worsened after twisting his waist during golf practice. While his sciatic pain temporarily subsided, his back pain has remained persistent, particularly upon waking in the morning, and has failed to improve.
Last month, he visited a medical institution the previous month to renew his regular medication. He also reported numbness throughout his entire leg, making walking difficult and causing deterioration of his posture.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 8 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
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, from the lateral aspect of the left lower limb down to the toes, and bilateral buttocks.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: left L4/5, left L5/S1, left sacrum, bilateral piriformis, and bilateral ischium.
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
The patient played soccer during his school years and currently performs regular strength training.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Nothing unusual
L2/3: Nothing unusual
L3/4: Nothing unusual
L4/5: Intervertebral disc degeneration, annular tear
L5/S1: Intervertebral disc degeneration, annular tear, left foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The imaging reveals intervertebral disc degeneration, annular tears, and foraminal stenosis at the L4/5 and L5/S1 levels. These findings are highly likely to be the primary cause of the patient’s main 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 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
