Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD)

Overview

This minimally invasive procedure is designed to provide pain relief for people with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal caused by a thickened ligament. It is an alternative to open surgery, removing overgrown ligament from the lower part of the spine.

Who Benefits?

Patients with spinal stenosis often experience pain in the buttocks or legs when walking or standing. That pain goes away when sitting down. Other symptoms include cramping in the calves while walking, sciatica pain radiating down one or both legs and numbness in the legs, buttocks or calves.

Recovery Expectations

This minimally invasive treatment is done in a surgery center and takes about an hour. Your doctor will make an incision about the size of a pencil eraser to access the ligament to be trimmed. The procedure is done under conscious sedation, and you should expect to go home the same day.

It is normal to have some soreness for a few days following the procedure. But there are no implants in the body, and you should be able to return to work within a few days and resume light duties.