Conditions & Treatments

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression

Understanding the mild® Procedure

The mild® Procedure, short for minimally invasive lumbar decompression, is an outpatient treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. It is designed to create more space in the spinal canal by removing small pieces of thickened ligament that can press on the nerves in your lower back.

The procedure is done through a very small incision, with no implants left behind and no stitches needed. For the right patient, it may help reduce pain and make it easier to stand and walk.

What Is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. One common cause is a ligament along the back of the spinal canal, called the ligamentum flavum, that thickens over time. As it thickens, it can crowd the nerves in the spinal canal.

Many people with lumbar spinal stenosis notice:

Pain, numbness, tingling, or heaviness in the lower back, buttocks, or legs
Symptoms that get worse when standing or walking
Relief when sitting down or leaning forward, such as leaning on a shopping cart
Needing to stop and rest after walking short distances

How Does the mild® Procedure Work?

Using X-ray guidance, your physician makes a very small incision in the lower back and inserts a thin access port. Through the port, specialized tools are used to remove small portions of the thickened ligament. This helps open up space in the spinal canal and may relieve pressure on the nerves.

Because the procedure works through a tiny opening, it does not require cutting through muscle, removing bone, or placing implants.

Who is a Candidate for the mild® Procedure?

The mild® Procedure may be an option if:

You have been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis
Imaging shows a thickened ligament is contributing to the narrowing
You have back or leg symptoms that get worse with standing or walking
Physical therapy, medication, or injections have not provided enough relief
You would like to explore minimally invasive options before considering surgery

Your physician will review your symptoms and imaging to determine whether the mild® Procedure may be appropriate for you.

What to Expect

The mild® Procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure, and most patients go home the same day. It is typically done with local anesthetic and light sedation, so general anesthesia is usually not needed. The incision is small enough that it is closed with a bandage rather than stitches.

Recovery

Most patients return to light daily activities within a day or two. You may have some soreness at the incision site for a few days. Your care team will let you know when you can return to more strenuous activities and will schedule follow-up visits to check your progress. Results vary from patient to patient.

mild® Procedure Physicians

The mild® Procedure at Spine & Orthopedic Center is performed by fellowship-trained pain management physician Dr. Kristy Fisher.

Related Treatments

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the mild® Procedure surgery? It is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure done through a very small incision. It does not involve removing bone or placing implants, and no stitches are needed.

How is the mild® Procedure different from an epidural injection? An epidural injection uses medication to calm inflammation around irritated nerves. The mild® Procedure removes small portions of thickened ligament to help create more space for the nerves.

How is it different from a discectomy? A discectomy removes part of a disc that is pressing on a nerve. The mild® Procedure removes small portions of thickened ligament that are narrowing the spinal canal.

Does the mild® Procedure rule out other treatments later? No. Because nothing is implanted, other treatment options generally remain available if they are needed in the future.

Will insurance cover the mild® Procedure? Coverage varies by plan. Our team can help you check your coverage before treatment.

For specialized spine and orthopedic care in Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, and West Palm Beach, Florida, please call (561) 549-9090 or request an appointment online.