MILD Procedure

Blog post

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common condition, with more than two million patients diagnosed nationwide each year. Typically, this medical condition develops in middle age people and the likelihood of developing it increases with aging. Patients who develop this condition commonly complain of pain, numbness, or tingling in their lower back, buttocks, and legs. It limits the ability to stand and/or walk.

The spine protects nerve tissues (the spinal cord and spinal nerves) that run from your brain to your upper and lower body. The bony column that encloses the spinal cord is called the spinal canal and is made up of ligaments, bones, and discs. In a healthy individual there is enough space for the spinal cord and the spinal nerves to pass through the spinal canal freely and exit the spine without any restriction.

Due to natural wear and tear on the body with aging, the spinal canal becomes narrowed over time due to thickened ligaments, overgrowth of bone (osteoarthritis), and/or bulging discs. The narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back or lumbar region is called lumbar spinal stenosis.

Mild® is a safe procedure that can help patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. It is an outpatient procedure performed through a very small incision. It requires no general anesthesia, no implants, and no stitches.

The procedure begins with the patient lying on his or her stomach. The area around the lumbar spine is numbed with a local anesthetic. The physician will then make a very small incision over the area where the lumbar stenosis is located. Using fluoroscopic guidance and specialized tools, the physician will remove small pieces of bone and excess ligament tissue that are narrowing the spinal canal. This restores space in the spinal canal which creates enough space for the spinal cord and the spinal nerves to once again pass through the spinal canal freely and exit the spine without any restriction.

After the mild® procedure, most patients are able to return home the same day and are generally able to resume light tasks and everyday activities within just a few days. The physician will provide complete instructions on what to do immediately following the procedure and schedule any necessary follow-up visits or suggested rehabilitation.

The mild® procedure has been safely performed on thousands of patients. Studies show that 79% of patients experience a significant reduction in pain and significant increase in mobility. In addition, the mild® procedure has been proven to have a very low risk of major complications. Unlike other lumbar spinal stenosis treatments like implants, mild® is a solution that removes the problem and leaves nothing behind.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY PATIENTS' PRAISE

Over 90% of our facet joint injection patients report improvement in their condition. Over 75% said their condition improved by more than 50%

Over 83% of our epidural patients report improvement in their condition. Over 75% said their condition improved by more than 50%

Overall, 83% of our patients report a better quality of life, 60% report less pain, and 62% report improvement in their function

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