Column Treatment Case Report No. 88｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
September 3, 2026
The patient
A female patient in her 80s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient fell while hospitalized for right shoulder pain. X-rays showed no abnormalities at the time. She began experiencing low back pain around that period.
Later, she fell again while attempting to go to the toilet in a wheelchair and sustained a fracture (location not specified). She had no history of acute low back pain.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: pain in both sides of the lower back, pain and numbness in the front and back of both lower limbs, pain in both buttocks.
Bending forward: no change
Bending backward:
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: bilateral L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Gym exercises.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Nothing unusual
- L2/3: Degenerative disc disease
- L3/4: Degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, spondylolisthesis
- L4/5: Degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy
- L5/S: Nothing unusual
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy were identified at L3/4 and L4/5. These findings are considered highly likely to be the cause of the main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4 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
