A Minimally Invasive Treatment for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
If pain or heaviness in your back or legs makes standing and walking difficult, lumbar spinal stenosis may be contributing to your symptoms.
At ECPC Pain Specialists, we offer the MILD® procedure (minimally invasive lumbar decompression) as a treatment option for appropriately selected patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces around the nerves in the spine become narrowed. In the lower back, this narrowing can place pressure on the nerves and cause symptoms such as back pain, leg pain, numbness or weakness.
A common pattern is pain or discomfort that develops when standing or walking and improves when sitting or bending forward.
What Is the MILD® Procedure?
MILD stands for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression.
The procedure is designed to remove small amounts of bone and excess ligament tissue that are contributing to narrowing in the lumbar spinal canal. By creating additional space for the affected nerves, MILD may help reduce symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis.
The procedure is performed through a very small incision and does not involve placing an implant in the spine.
Who May Be a Candidate?
MILD may be appropriate for some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, particularly when thickening of the ligamentum flavum is contributing to the narrowing.
Patients who may be evaluated for MILD often experience:
- Low back pain
- Pain, heaviness or aching in the legs
- Numbness or tingling
- Symptoms that worsen with standing or walking
- Symptoms that improve when sitting or bending forward
- Difficulty walking for extended periods
Not every patient with spinal stenosis is a candidate for MILD. Your physician will review your symptoms and imaging to determine whether this procedure is appropriate.
What Happens During MILD?
MILD is performed using fluoroscopic X-ray guidance.
After the treatment area is numbed, your physician makes a small incision and uses specialized instruments to remove a small amount of bone and excess ligament tissue contributing to the narrowing.
The goal is to create more room for the nerves without placing an implant or performing traditional open spine surgery.
What Is Recovery Like?
MILD is an outpatient procedure, and patients are typically able to return home after the procedure.
Because it is performed through a small incision and does not require an implant, recovery may be less involved than traditional lumbar decompression surgery. Your individual recovery will depend on your health, symptoms and the specifics of your procedure.
Is MILD Right for Me?
The cause of spinal stenosis varies from person to person, so treatment needs to be individualized.
Our physicians will review your symptoms, medical history and imaging to determine whether MILD, another minimally invasive treatment or a different approach is appropriate for you.
Take the Next Step
If back and leg pain are making it harder to stand, walk or enjoy your normal activities, we would be happy to evaluate your condition and discuss your options.
Contact ECPC Pain Specialists today to schedule a consultation.