This kind of pain is a serious matter, and it can have lasting effects on your quality of life.
Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and conservative strategies are the go-to methods for treating back pain. However, these are not always enough, and LSS must be attacked more aggressively.
A procedure called Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression or MILD may be what you need to get relief.
What Causes LSS?
Several factors contribute to the development of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis including:
- A herniated disk
- Spinal injuries
- Tumors
- Degenerative Arthritis
- And the natural aging process.
LSS leads to debilitating symptoms such as difficulty standing up, or walking. It can also decrease your endurance for physical activities.
How the MILD procedure Works
After all other treatment methods have been unsuccessful, your doctor may recommend you try the MILD procedure. LSS narrows the spinal canal, and MILD combats this by restoring space in the spinal canal. Using a sculpting tool through an incision just over 5 mm in diameter, pressure on your spinal nerves is reduced by removing excess ligament tissue.
Who Is a Good Candidate for MILD?
There is a specific criterion to be met if you’re considering MILD surgery. First, the MILD procedure is an option if a more invasive spinal surgery poses considerable health concerns to you. Also, if you have tried other methods like physical therapy and medications to treat LSS, but your body has not responded well, MILD may be what you need to have relief.
What to Expect on Surgery Day and Recovery
On the day of your procedure, you are taken back to the operating room, where a small incision is made. Next, your surgeon will remove excess tissue and widen the spinal canal, reducing compression on the nerves. The procedure typically takes about an hour to complete, and most patients can return home the same day.
Is MILD Effective?
The success rate for the MILD procedure is over 80 percent, and patients have reported improvements such as
- Better walking distance
- Longer standing times
- Restoring the ability to stand and walk without pain
If you believe that MILD surgery is right for you, reach out to our office in the Show Low area for a consultation. Give us a call at 928-532-1605.
