Posted on September 29, 2024
Bette Davis once said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies!” Although getting older may heighten insight and wisdom, it can be awfully challenging to a body.
The spinal column is designed to serve as the “tree trunk” of sorts, giving support to the entire body. Over time, the spine’s balanced arrangement of bones (vertebrae) and cushions (discs) can wear down. Accidents, injuries or disease can also alter the balanced alignment or result in fractures.
As with the entire body, nerves are housed within the spinal column. These send pain signals to the brain, indicating that something is wrong.
For older adults experiencing bone loss due to osteoporosis, deterioration of the vertebral structure is a fairly common cause of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS).
The lumbar spine (lower back) consists of five vertebrae. Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, compressing on nerves that run through the lower back and into (typically) one leg.
Over time, the discs become less spongy, resulting in loss of disc height. This can cause the disc to bulge into the spinal canal. Bone spurs may also occur and ligaments can thicken, leading to a narrowing of the innermost canal and nerve compression.
Low back pain may be accompanied by:
• Pain, weakness or numbness in the legs, calves or buttocks
• Cramping in the calves with walking, requiring frequent short rests
• Pain radiating into one or both thighs and legs, similar to sciatica
• Pain relief when bending forward, sitting or lying down
Fortunately, advanced options are available to relieve the symptoms associated with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, without surgery.
A patient of Advanced Pain Management & Spine Specialists (APMSS), Mary (not her real name) was able to stay comfortable in spite of LSS. Dr. Jonathan Daitch, a Board Certified Interventional Pain Management physician, gave Mary periodic injections for several years.
The injections calmed inflammation caused by pressure on specific nerves. However, the effectiveness of the injections began to wane. Eventually, Mary could stand no more
than a few minutes without having pain.
Now age 94, Mary hoped for an option to help her move comfortably. With resumed pain in her lower back that extended down one leg, an updated MRI was taken. Upon Dr. Daitch’s review, a thickening ligament was noted as causing added pressure.
Dr. Daitch presented Mary with another option for more extended pain relief.
MILD® (Minimally-Invasive Lumbar Decompression) is an outpatient procedure that has provided long-term results for many APMSS patients. It relieves pressure in the spinal canal by removing excess ligament tissue.
The MILD procedure is quick (about 30 mins. for most patients) and performed through an incision that is less than an inch. And, it is covered by Medicare nationwide.
MILD results are typically experienced within a few days, providing:
Reduction in pain
Restored mobility
Increased standing time of up to an hour
Increased walking distance (up to 4,000 ft)
MILD® also has a low complication risk. It has proven to be as safe as an injection with over 20,000 patients treated to date.
After having the procedure explained in detail, Mary felt fully confident in moving forward with the recommendation.
The procedure was performed in the APMSS facility’s Park Center for Procedures. During this, Mary relaxed in a “twilight sleep” state for complete comfort throughout. Afterwards, she returned home to relax for the remainder of the day.
Within several days, Mary was moving without the low back and affected leg pain she had endured before. She was walking further and moving more comfortably.
At Advanced Pain Management & Spine Specialists, Dr. Daitch provides Southwest Florida residents access to some of the most advanced technology in the country.
Call 239-437-8000 to learn more.