MILD Procedure in Manhattan, NY

MILD is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that treats lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a condition in which the lower spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal nerves in your low back. This narrowing of the spinal canal is a result of ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, or thickening of a ligament in your spine. This can lead to increased pain and mobility issues.

Patients who have been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis, have had surgery in their lumbar spine or are getting epidural steroid injections that are no longer providing relief many be a candidate for the MILD procedure. Patients with LSS often experience pain when standing, walking, or lying down but find relief when they are sitting or bending forward. During your consultation with one of our physicians, your medical history and diagnostic imaging will be reviewed to determine if you qualify for a MILD procedure.

All MILD procedures must be performed in an ambulatory surgical center (ASC), but our office will work with you and the ASC to coordinate your care. During the procedure, a special instrument is placed at the affected vertebral level through a small incision in your back. Using fluoroscopic guidance your physician will gain access to the ligament in your spine that has thickened. Once at the ligament your physician will carefully remove some of the thickened ligament to allow the space in your spinal canal to open and remove pressure on your nerves. The procedure takes approximately an hour to complete and requires minimal downtime compared to more invasive procedures and surgeries.

If you are experiencing low back pain or have been recently diagnosed with LSS, contact our midtown Manhattan office to book a consultation and find out if a MILD procedure is right for you.