Column Treatment Case Report No. 91｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
September 14, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient played a variety of sports and occasionally had low back pain resembling muscle soreness. In May 2025, after walking too much, he developed pain around the entire lower back and the right hip joint, and was subsequently diagnosed with spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. On 8/29, his symptoms flared up for the third time. He is currently improving.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
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; right hip joint to the outer thigh
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Plays tennis and golf once a week, plays table tennis five times a week, and works out at a gym.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Nothing unusual
- L2/3: Disc degeneration and annular tear
- L3/4: Disc degeneration
- L4/5: Disc degeneration and right foraminal stenosis
- L5/S: Nothing unusual
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, annular tear, and foraminal stenosis were observed at the L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 levels and were considered likely to be the main causes of the patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L2/3, 3/4 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 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
