Column Treatment Case Report No.95 ｜ ILC International Lumbago Clinic (Nagoya Clinic)
October 1, 2026
The patient
A male patient in his 60s.
The patient’s medical history to date
The patient had a history of low back pain. Twelve years ago, his golf cart overturned at a golf course and he fractured his spine, and he subsequently had to undergo spinal fusion surgery from T12 to L5 as a result.
. His symptoms worsened starting from July of last year. At first, the upper part of his back began to hurt, his flank became tight, and a pulling sensation in the left inner thigh also appeared. He was referred by a sports clinic doctor to another clinic, where he received block injections for about 3 months. His symptoms gradually eased, but only temporarily. His doctor also explained that, in the worst case, a re-operation might be necessary.
Pre-treatment symptoms
・Pain levels before treatment
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain level | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
No pain at all is rated as 0, and the maximum possible pain is rated as 10.
Bending forward: no abnormality
Bending backward: right lower back
Lasegue test: negative
Point of tenderness: negative
Intermittent claudication: negative
Additional explanations on our clinic’s medical examination
・Daily activities
Standing work and physical labor. Exercise: golf, swimming, etc.
Imaging and findings
L1/2: Post-surgery
L2/3: Disc degeneration
L3/4: Disc degeneration, bulging, right foraminal stenosis
L4/5: Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, LSS
L5/S: Disc degeneration, bulging, right foraminal stenosis
The above findings were also observed on the imaging.
Disc degeneration, bulging, bilateral foraminal stenosis, and LSS (lumbar spinal stenosis) are seen at L2/3, 3/4, 4/5 and 5/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 L2/3, 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
