Non-Surgical MILD Procedure for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) Q&A

MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with spinal stenosis; it is particularly effective at relieving: lower back pain with leg heaviness, numbness; and/or tingling with walking that improves with sitting. Also known as Percutaneous Image-Guided Lumbar Decompression (PILD), the MILD procedure involves needle-like instruments that are used to remove a portion of a thickened ligament in the back of the spinal column; this is performed to increase spinal canal space and remove nerve root impingement.

Prior to the procedure, the physician will confirm the patient’s condition; this typically includes an MRI or a CT scan of their lower back with the purpose of finding the areas that are too narrow in their spinal canal, the likely cause of their symptoms.

During the procedure, to view the patient’s spine and identify the appropriate location for the procedure, the performing physician uses a fluoroscopy (X-Ray) machine. They will then make a tiny incision at the site of the stenosis, and using delicate instruments, extract tiny bits of bone and excess ligament tissue before closing the incision. The procedure is minimally invasive and takes about an hour in the place in an outpatient setting; in almost all cases, patients may return home the same day of the procedure.

MILD is a type of decompression; only patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and a thickened ligament are candidates for this type of decompression. In order to determine a patient’s candidacy, a spinal diagnostics physician will perform a thorough examination, review their medical history, and use appropriate tests to determine the extent of the patient’s stenosis. If the stenosis is too severe, some individuals may not be candidates for the MILD procedure. If you have any questions about whether the MILD procedure is right for you, please call Jackson Pain Center today!

For treating mild to moderate lumbar spinal stenosis, the MILD procedure has many advantages over other options. These include:

It Is Minimally Invasive: The MILD procedure only requires a very small incision, leaving no huge scars behind; the scar may even disappear completely. In addition to this, because it is minimally invasive, recovery is much quicker than with invasive surgery.

It Is Safe: The MILD procedure is not experimental; it is a safe and trusted procedure. Thousands of patients have had successful MILD surgery, the vast majority of whom have experienced a major improvement in quality of life.

No Anesthesia Is Needed:There are risks associated with general anesthesia, and fortunately these risks are completely eliminated with MILD, as there is no need for anesthesia in this procedure.

Contact us today to book an appointment for a non-surgical MILD procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), or visit us online. We are located at 1 Layfair Drive, Suite 400 Flowood, MS 39232. We serve patients from Flowood MS, Jackson MS, Pearl MS, Richland MS, Ridgeland MS, Langford MS, Brandon MS, and surrounding areas.