Column Treatment Case Report No. 90｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
September 10, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
In his 40s, the patient experienced temporary lower back pain and numbness in both little toes. From around the age of 50, his lower back pain gradually became more severe.
From his late 40s to early 50s, he regularly went to the gym and played golf.
When he was in his 50s, he visited an orthopedic clinic and underwent X-rays. He was told that his condition was related to age-related changes and that he would need to learn to live with them.
He has difficulty with twisting movements.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 7 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Main areas of pain and numbness: Pain on both sides of the lower back and both buttocks
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward:
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Gym workouts, swimming, and walking for 40 minutes every day
Imaging and findings
- L1/L2: Disc degeneration
- L2/L3: Disc degeneration
- L3/L4: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, and annular tear
- L4/L5: Disc degeneration and disc bulging
- L5/S1: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, and mild right foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, bulging, and mild right foraminal stenosis are seen at L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S, and these are highly likely to be the cause of the main 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 30 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
