Column Treatment Case Report No. 81｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
August 6, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient experienced an episode of acute low back pain once in her 40s. She received a nerve block injection, and the symptoms improved within one day.
She had previously undergone a bone density test for osteoporosis and was told that her bone density was equivalent to that of a 54-year-old.
Approximately two weeks before her visit, she developed pain in the left lower back and mild numbness in the left leg the day after taking her dog to a grooming salon.
In July, she underwent an MRI examination at a nearby medical facility and was diagnosed with degenerative lumbar spondylosis. She was prescribed pain medication, but it did not provide significant relief.
Her pain, particularly in the morning upon waking, had been getting worse.
She had practiced Tai Chi for 20 years, but the worsening pain forced her to temporarily stop.
She also regularly played golf, swam, and walked her dog, and wondered whether overdoing it might have contributed to her symptoms.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 3 | 6 | 0 | 7 |
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 pain, left leg pain, bilateral buttocks pain
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: left piriformis muscle, left sciatic nerve region
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Walking the dog, Tai Chi (20 years), golf
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Nothing unusual
- L2/3: Mild degeneration and disc bulging
- L3/4: Degeneration and disc bulging
- L4/5: Degeneration, disc bulging, annular tear, right foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration, and a right facet joint cyst
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
At L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, degenerative disc changes, disc bulging, annular tear, right foraminal stenosis, endplate degeneration, and a right facet joint cyst were observed.
These findings were considered highly likely to be associated with the patient’s main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 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 40 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
