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Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause disabling back and leg pain that limits daily activities. At Desert Pain Specialists in Rancho Mirage, California, Roland Reinhart, MD, and Meaghan Berglund, PA-C, offer the minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild®) procedure to relieve spinal nerve compression. This outpatient treatment removes small amounts of excess tissue and bone, reducing pressure without major surgery or implants. Call Desert Pain Specialists to find out if mild spinal decompression is right for you or book an appointment online today.
Spinal Decompression Q & A
What is spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression treatment is designed to relieve nerve pressure in the spinal canal caused by conditions like lumbar spinal stenosis. This common back problem occurs when the spinal canal narrows, and causes symptoms like:
- Lower back pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Cramping in the legs
Spinal stenosis most often affects people from middle age onwards as the spine starts to deteriorate. Arthritis causes bone changes and thickened ligaments, while the discs between your vertebrae become drier and flatter, leading to changes in spinal alignment. The discs may also rupture or bulge into the spinal canal.
While some people with spinal stenosis experience few or no problems, it can be deeply problematic for others.
Who might be suitable for spinal decompression?
Patients who haven’t found relief from their pain with medications or physical therapy, but who want to avoid major surgery, may be good candidates for spinal decompression. Desert Pain Specialists offers minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild), which helps patients find relief without the need for major surgery.
The mild procedure is FDA-cleared and is a safe, proven option for treating lumbar spinal stenosis. Since it does not involve implants, general anesthesia, or stitches, the risks are lower than for traditional spine surgery.
What is the mild procedure?
The mild procedure is an outpatient treatment that removes small pieces of bone and excess ligament tissue pressing on the nerves in the lower back. By reducing this pressure, patients often experience less pain and improved walking ability.
The Desert Pain Specialists team performs the mild procedure through a very small incision, usually about the size of a baby aspirin. Using specialized tools, they carefully remove excess tissue and bone that are crowding the spinal canal.
Because the incision is so small, there are no stitches, and recovery is typically much faster than with open surgery.
What should I expect after spinal decompression?
Many patients return home the same day as their mild procedure and are able to resume light activities within 24 hours. Some patients notice symptom improvement right away after spinal decompression, while for others, relief builds gradually over several weeks. Physical therapy helps you regain strength and mobility.
Call Desert Pain Specialists or request an appointment online to determine if you're a candidate for spinal decompression.