Minimally-Invasive Lumbar Decompression
This minimally-invasive procedure created by Vertos Medical known as Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression is a treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis typically cannot stand or walk for long distances, and will often have weakness in their legs, even if no pain is present.
What Does MILD Treat?
The MILD procedure treats lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lumbar spine, which is in the lower back.
How Does the Procedure Work?
During the minimally-invasive outpatient MILD procedure, the patient will lie flat on their stomach. Local or general anesthesia is administered, preventing the patient from experiencing pain or discomfort while the procedure is completed. The surgeon will make a small incision in the lower back. Guided by the fluoroscopy, the surgeon will insert a stabilized depth-limiting portal, of which its opening is used for the removal of obstruction that was initiated by bone spurs or osteophyte growth. Once a clearing is open, the MILD Tissue Sculptor is used to remove a section of thickened ligament, and this procedure is repeated until there is enough room or restored space. This is also a solution for lumbar spinal stenosis and eliminates the pain.
Patients are typically required to have a companion to drive them home and may resume normal activity independently within 24 hours.
What Are the Risks?
Complications for the MILD procedure are very rare, however, all surgical procedures have a risk of infection, and procedures that use general or local anesthesia have risks of anesthetic complications. The MILD procedure is generally considered to be low risk, however specific complications including dural tears and nerve root injuries can occur in rare instances. The MILD procedure is a minimally-invasive procedure, which has a substantially lower risk of complications such as infection when compared to open surgery.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
Compared to traditional surgery, the MILD procedure is considered a less invasive lumbar spinal stenosis treatment. Moreover, MILD provides rapid effects and treatment for the symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, typically within a few days.
For more information on the MILD procedure, visit Vertos Medical’s website at https://www.vertosmed.com/patients/.