Posted on September 29, 2024
As we age, many of us will develop degeneration of the lumbar spine. This deterioration may lead to spinal stenosis, sciatica, pinched nerves, disc protrusions and herniations, as well as progressive lower back pain.
Spinal stenosis is characterized by a decreased ability to walk more than a block or two or stand for more than 10 or 15 minutes. It is associated with buttock and leg pain that worsens with standing and walking but improves with sitting or bending for‐ward.
For instance, symptoms improve when pushing a shopping cart or using a cane or walker as patients tend to bend forward walking with these, as these create more room in the tight space of the spinal canal.
Some with spinal stenosis also have leg cramps, leg spasms, or “charlie horses” at night. Some can only sleep in a recliner or in a fetal position.
These are common symptoms that should improve with decompression and stabilization of the spine through the Minuteman® procedure. The Minuteman is a device designed to create more room and stabilize the spine.
Envision the spinal canal as a room with four walls. Over time, the walls have been closing in on your spinal canal. The Minuteman® will move the walls back and upward to create more room, allowing your nerves more room and improve leg pain. The Minuteman could also better align your spine and decrease low back pain.
Minuteman is a minimally‐invasive spine stabilizing device (fusion) that takes about 30 40 minutes to complete as an outpatient at our surgery center. This is compared to the usual 3 to 4 hour spinal fusion surgery time when performed at a hospital followed by a 2 3 month recovery.
Minuteman is performed through a one‐inch incision through the side of your lower back and does not involve cutting any muscles or bone. There is minimal blood loss and you return home the same day, within an hour after the procedure ends. There is also minimal discomfort after this type of stabilization procedure.
In the procedure, we place a heavy‐duty toggle bolt to create room through the rear elements of the spine.
With the bolt in place, toggle wings are opened. A “nut” then tightens everything into position, stabilizing the spine. Bone cement is added to further ensure proper fusion/stabilization of the spine.
The procedure can be especially beneficial for patients who have been offered more extensive surgical fusion procedures and prefer a less invasive option or for patients who may be unable to withstand more complex in‐hospital procedures.
Minuteman is especially good for patients with single level disease (for example L4‐5 or L3‐4) who meet certain criteria of spinal stenosis, or spinal slippage (spondylolisthesis).
The device is a permanent implant but can be surgically removed in the future if needed. This means it does not burn any bridges should further treatment be necessary. This procedure, however, is NOT indicated for patients with SEVERE UNSTABLE SLIPPAGE, severe MULTILEVEL disease or those with PARS defects.
After surgery, leg pain should ease within days. We will want you to start walking and standing more and more each day after the procedure. Physical therapy starts 2 4 weeks after the procedure for 4 6 weeks.
As you can imagine, your legs have gotten weaker during the many months of pain that has led to de‐conditioning.
Physical therapy will lead to increased walking and standing endurance as well as better balance and greater function. Many studies have shown that an increased ability to walk and exercise leads to greater cardiovascular health and increased longevity.
If you suffer from spinal stenosis, buttock and leg pain and have not found relief from conservative treatments, Minuteman may be a minimally invasive solution for you.
Call 239‐437‐8000 to schedule an examination.