Column Treatment Case Report No. 84｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
August 20, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient gradually developed lower back pain approximately 15 years ago and visited a nearby medical facility. After being hospitalized for diagnostic examinations, she was diagnosed with lumbar spinal canal stenosis. She was told that surgery would not be possible for another three to four months. However, since her symptoms improved with rehabilitation, she decided not to undergo surgery.
Since then, her symptoms have occasionally worsened. After she stopped working two years ago, her pain gradually became more severe. She also experiences pain when sleeping. She currently visits an orthopedic clinic twice a week. She also receives hyaluronic acid injections in both knees twice a month at an internal medicine clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 |
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, bilateral knee joint pain, bilateral calf pain, and bilateral buttock pain.
Bending forward: No worsening of symptoms
Bending backward: Abdomen
Lasègue test: Negative
Point of tenderness: Bilateral L4/5
Intermittent claudication: Positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Exercises at home.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: NP (nothing particular)
L2/3: Disc degeneration
L3/4: Mild disc degeneration and bulging
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, decreased disc height, and bilateral foraminal stenosis
L5/S: Disc degeneration, bulging, and bilateral foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
At L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, degeneration, disc bulging, decreased disc height, and bilateral foraminal stenosis were observed. These levels were considered 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 30 minutes.
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
