Column Treatment Case Report No. 8｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 27, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 30s.
The patient’s medical history to date
Eight years ago, the patient experienced acute low back pain (lumbago) and received a nerve block injection at another medical facility, which was effective at the time. Over the last few years, he has had persistent low back pain and was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. Last year, another block injection was ineffective. He has been suffering from prolonged back pain, occasionally accompanied by numbness. Two to three weeks prior to the visit, the back pain recurred after turning over in bed. The pain worsens when bending over or standing up, but walking is not an issue.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main area of pain and numbness: Low back, numbness in the left leg
Bending forward: dull pain in the lower back
Bending backward: dull pain in the lower back
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L5/S (left side)
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
sedentary work, goes to the gym regularly
Imaging and findings
| Level | Findings |
| L1/L2 | Normal |
| L2/L3 | Normal |
| L3/L4 | Normal |
| L4/L5 | Disc degeneration, disc herniation |
| L5/S | Disc degeneration, disc herniation |
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
The L4/L5 and L5/S intervertebral discs showed degeneration and herniation,
which are considered the most likely sources 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. Han.
This is an image of the patient’s back after the Discogel injection.
The treatment took about 20 minutes.
After resting in the recovery room, the patient was able to walk home unaided.
Our clinic’s treatment method
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
