Column Treatment Case Report No. 92｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
September 17, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 70s.
The patient’s medical history to date
(In his 20s) He developed low back pain after carrying a heavy load (about 90 kg). (In his 40s) After jumping down from a height of 2 m, his left leg swelled, and leg symptoms appeared afterward. After that, the low back pain subsided for a time, but he still had pain occasionally. (12 to 13 years ago) His condition worsened to the point that he could not walk or bathe. He was diagnosed with LSS (lumbar spinal stenosis) at a nearby clinic and underwent PLDD (percutaneous laser disc decompression) at L4/5, which brought temporary improvement. (From 2 years ago) The pain extending down to the heel worsened, and walking became difficult. He received epidural blocks and medication at a nearby clinic without improvement. He has a referral letter and has been advised to undergo surgery to insert bolts (screw fixation), but he does not want it.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
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, numbness in the right leg, pain in both sides of the lower back
Bending forward: no aggravation
Bending backward: no aggravation
Lasegue test: positive
Point of tenderness: L4/5 on the left side
Intermittent claudication: positive
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Currently does no exercise. He used to play volleyball in the past.
Imaging and findings
- L1/2: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, disc height loss, and left foraminal stenosis
- L2/3: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, and disc height loss
- L3/4: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, and right foraminal stenosis
- L4/5: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, severe disc height loss, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS)
- L5/S: Disc degeneration, disc bulging, disc height loss, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS)
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, disc bulging, loss of disc height, foraminal stenosis, and spinal canal stenosis were observed at L1/2, L2/3, L3/4, and L5/S, and these findings were considered highly likely to be the cause of the patient’s main symptoms.
Treatment
After consulting with the patient, the Cellgel Method was performed on L1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 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 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
