Spinal Stenosis is when the spinal canal becomes narrow and creates pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.  This can cause severe pain and increasing weakness.  It most commonly presents in the neck and low back, and will reflect symptoms into the arms and legs.  When we stand, our vertebrae compress together and the symptoms of stenosis worsen.  

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Spinal Stenosis is initially treated with physical therapy and injections.  If these therapies are not sufficient, we now have alternatives to surgical correction.  These less invasive techniques involve small incisions in outpatient surgery centers and require little to no recovery.​

 

One of these procedures is called MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompresssion).  One of the causes of spinal stenosis is thickening of the spinal ligament that protects the spinal cord.  As this ligament thickens, it consumes space in the canal and "chokes" the spinal cord.  The MILD procedure debulks this ligament giving more space for the spinal cord and spinal nerves.  After MILD, patients are able to stand up straighter, and walk for longer durations.  This minor outpatient procedure is performed quickly with tiny incisions that do not require stitching.