Mild® Spinal Stenosis Treatment May Be Best for Back and Leg Pain

Has back pain affected your ability to sit, stand or walk comfortably? Do you feel like you’ve tried “everything” from steroid injections to chiropractic, physical therapy and medications and other pain-relieving methods?

You might be surprised to know there’s another option that’s highly effective for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS)—a condition involving narrowing of the lower spinal canal that causes compression on the nerves of your lower back—which doesn’t involve surgery.

It’s called the mild^® procedure for spinal stenosis.

People with lumbar spinal stenosis often feel pain, numbness, tingling or heaviness when standing or walking. Back pain relief comes from sitting, bending forward, or curling up in fetal position in bed.

People with LSS may experience a range of symptoms that affect mobility and comfort. These include: 

• Pain or numbness in the lower back when standing upright
• Pain, numbness, heaviness or tingling in upper legs or buttocks when walking
• Pain when lying down that may be relieved by curling into the fetal position
• Temporary relief when bending forward
• Temporary relief while sitting or standing as pressure on the spinal cord is released and space in the spinal canal is “opened”

It’s common for people with LSS to seek pain relief by finding a chair, leaning over a shopping cart, or using a walker or cane.

What is the mild^® spinal stenosis treatment?

The mild^® procedure addresses the fact that 85 percent of spinal canal narrowing is caused by thickening of a ligament that occurs with natural aging. While bulging discs and bony overgrowth of the spine play a part in nerve compression, the thickened ligament that runs along the spine exacerbates the problem. Many surgical procedures focus on the discs or spinal vertebra, and in some cases, limit future surgical opportunities if pain arises again.

With the mild^® procedure, however, only the excess ligament tissue is removed, using specialized tools and enhanced imaging. There are no implants and there are no fusions. None of the spinal anatomy is changed.

In fact, compared to surgery, implants, and injections, the mild procedure:

• Has a very low risk of complication
• Involves no stitches or implants
• Requires few restrictions for recovery and post-recovery
• Produces lasting results

Find out more about the mild® procedure at Restore Medical Partners.

Hear from one of our patients about their mild procedure success

What to expect from mild^® spinal stenosis treatment?

The mild^® spinal stenosis treatment is a brief outpatient procedure that requires little down-time and recovery. Our pain management specialists use local anesthetic and light sedation (you will be in a sleepy state and will feel no pain). The incision to remove the excess ligament is the size of a baby aspirin (less than ¼ inch) and will be covered with a Band-Aid. Then you’ll be on your way and back to doing things you love within 24 hours, with no restrictions!

With an 85 percent patient satisfaction rate, studies have shown that mild^® continues to improve functionality over time. 

Over one year, mild_procedurepatients can stand 7x longer

Over one year, patients can walk 16x farther

Is mild spinal stenosis treatment right for you?

To schedule imaging, consult with one of our back pain management specialists, or explore your treatment options, give us a call or fill out the form to get started.