What is the MILD® Procedure?
MILD® is just a made-up fancy name for what spine surgeon have been doing for years. It is a marketing word. What I do is through a small incision and muscle sparing techniques, a minimally invasive lumbar decompression removes the compression on the spine and nerve roots. Most patients go home the same say!
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a degenerative disease that usually occurs after the age of 50. It causes narrowing of the lumbar spinal canal and compression of the spinal nerves. This can occur due to overgrowth of the vertebral joints and ligaments or bulging of a vertebral disc.
Lumbar spinal stenosis can result in:
- Pain in the leg, buttock and groin region
- Weakness, stiffness, cramping or numbness in the legs and buttocks
Those with lumbar spinal stenosis have difficulty walking or standing, but get relief on sitting down, which causes flexion of the spine.
Benefits of the this Procedure
Mild cases of lumbar spinal stenosis may be treated by conservative therapy. Severe cases are usually treated by a procedure called laminectomy, which involves removal of the laminar bone, which overlies the back of the spinal cord.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for this Procedure?
This procedure is ideal in the following cases:
- You have not got adequate relief from conservative treatments including rest, medications, physical therapy or steroid injections
- You do not wish to undergo invasive spine surgery or it is not recommended due to health reasons
Recovery Following the Spinal Decompression
Following the procedure, you will be taken to the recovery room where you are observed for about 2 hours. You will then be allowed to walk and may be discharged to home. Following this, a gradual advance in activities is recommended.
