Spinal stenosis is one of the many issues that causes uncomfortable back and leg pain. It causes nerve compression that is difficult to relieve with conservative measures. If you’re still struggling with spinal stenosis pain, the MILD® procedure could work for your needs.
At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Shachi Patel provides the MILD procedure for spinal stenosis and other issues causing nerve compression. She’s an experienced pain management specialist who gives patients a new lease on life with pain-relief strategies.
Spinal stenosis is a painful issue that happens when the canal that houses your spinal cord narrows. The canal runs through the middle of the vertebrae and is where the nerves branch out from the spinal cord.
The issue with spinal stenosis is nerve compression. As the space narrows, it encroaches on the spinal cord and the surrounding nerves. The result is sciatica and other nerve-related back issues that affect your quality of life.
Unfortunately, spinal stenosis is very common, affecting most people by age 50. However, not everyone has symptoms that require professional treatment. Many people manage discomfort on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications.
The MILD procedure is one of the ways we treat spinal stenosis that doesn’t resolve with home care or conservative treatments. It’s extremely effective because it doesn’t simply cover up the problem; instead, it fixes nerve compression to quickly relieve symptoms.
Spinal stenosis often happens from thickening of the ligamentum flavum, causing significant nerve compression. The MILD procedure allows us to remove parts of the thickened ligament to relieve nerve compression and improve pain.
The procedure is minimally invasive and only requires a tiny incision in the back. We use fluoroscopy, a specialized type of X-ray, to ensure we’re in the correct spot.
Specialized instruments fit through the tiny incision to remove parts of the thickened ligament and small pieces of bone, if necessary, to widen the spinal canal and relieve pain.
Afterward, we verify with fluoroscopy that we got all of the tissue necessary to relieve spinal stenosis. We close the incisions, and you’re able to go home the same day, no hospital stay needed.
There are many benefits to the MILD procedure for spinal stenosis – but is it right for you? If you have spinal stenosis that continues despite home care and conservative treatments, you may qualify for the MILD procedure.
The procedure is especially beneficial for people who have intractable back pain due to spinal stenosis. If conservative measures like physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and medications don’t work, the MILD procedure could work.
It’s also a good option for those who aren’t good candidates for traditional spine surgery due to health issues or age. It offers a great option to get long-term pain relief from spinal stenosis without invasive surgery.
To learn more about the MILD procedure or schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel, call our Newark, Delaware office or visit our website today.
