Column Treatment Case Report No. 89｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
September 7, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 40s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had been experiencing lower back pain for approximately 10 years.
Because his job involved lifting heavy objects, he developed pain in his lower back and left leg. His lower back pain would recur approximately once every year, always in the same location.
Approximately six years ago, he was diagnosed at an orthopedic clinic with herniated discs at two levels. Surgery was not recommended at that time.
His symptoms had flared up again four days prior to visiting our clinic.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Both sides of the lower back, and the front of the left leg from below the knee to the toes
Bending forward: pain on the left side of the lower back
Bending backward: pain on the left side of the lower back
Lasegue test: positive
Point of tenderness: sacrum bilaterally
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Past experience with skiing and baseball; currently no particular activities.
Imaging and findings
- L1/L2: nothing unusual
- L2/L3: nothing unusual
- L3/L4: nothing unusual
- L4/L5: disc herniation and disc degeneration
- L5/S1: disc herniation, disc degeneration, endplate degeneration, and spondylolisthesis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc herniation, disc degeneration, endplate degeneration, and spondylolisthesis were observed at L4/L5 and L5/S1, and were considered likely contributors to the patient’s primary 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
