Column Treatment Case Report No. 9｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 31, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient has had low back pain for 10 years. Initially, self-massages helped relieve the symptoms. However, 4 to 5 years ago, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, and the massages were no longer effective, leading him to visit our clinic. He reported that he lifted barbells during his student years and also suffers from knee osteoarthritis.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain: lower back on both sides, numbness in the left lower limb.
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: L4/5 (both sides), L5/S (both sides).
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
He is a Buddhist priest and enjoys rowing as exercise.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Degeneration
L2/3: Degeneration and bulging
L3/4: Degeneration, disc height loss, spinal canal stenosis, bilateral foraminal stenosis
L4/5: Degeneration, disc height loss
L5/S: Degeneration and bulging
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
These findings indicate disc degeneration, spinal canal stenosis, and foraminal stenosis at L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, which are considered the likely sources of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L3/4, 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 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
