MILD (minimally invasive ligament decompression) and/or LinQ?

Thank you for your response. I cannot count the number of physicians I have consulted, looking for a solution to chronic lumbar spine pain. I have many issues all delineated in two lumbar spine MRIs. The physicians all have great credentials and are at reputable teaching hospitals and their recommendations contradict each other. I do use google scholar to search for evidence based research on treatment options but it is hard to evaluate the quality of the research. I am trying to figure out my options. Thus far I've been told no surgery! yes surgery! no fusion! yes fusion. I've tried multiple rounds of physical therapy injections, etc, and so far nothing has helped. I've seen physiatrists who sent me to surgeons, physiatrists who recommend all kinds of treatments from MILD, to PRP, to peptides, medical marijuana etc. I would like to find someone that will tell me their best idea for treatment and provide a realistic assessment of success of the recommended treatment. After 6 years I finally asked my PCP what percent of her patients had successful back surgery. 50%. That would have been good to know. I know the problem with back surgery is once you've had it you've had it and things can definitely worsen. I suppose it's just a dream but I'd really like to find a surgeon who, after evaluating my imaging and symptoms provide a treatment plan and realistic evidence based possible outcomes so I can make the best decision.

I completely agree with your sentiment. I have had very conflicting inputs. The approach I am now taking is to be able to sit with doc in front of my MRI and discuss options based upon what we both see. I had one doc that was not able to call up my MRI for viewing yet was recommending a procedure.

I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have had limited success. I'm interested in hearing from those who were helped by this procedure.
Thanks

@speedy - Good morning. When scanning the online information about spinal surgeries - it's quickly clear both the device manufacturers and the surgeons are searching for more minimally invasive procedures to reduce the recovery time from spinal surgeries. MILD is such an approach.

I didn't see what your diagnosis was in terms of how significant a surgical procedure was recommended? Most minimally invasive (MIP) procedures can be an option for single level spinal work but are less effective for bigger work.

Either way - you should research all the recent MIP that are out there and ask the neurosurgeon if you're a candidate. Reducing the challenges of surgical recovery is a worthwhile objective!

Hi Phil

Thank you for responding. No surgical procedures have been proposed. My symptoms include spinal stenosis in the L4-L5, lumbar facet arthritis, and degenerative arthritis at both SI joints. My pain level in the L4-L5 area is 10+ when I get up during the night continuing for two hours in the morning. Heat, stretching, ice, Advil, and Tylenol are all used. I did PT, acupuncture, seven epidural injections, (which gave me temporary relief) chiropractic, RFA last January, and a Trigger Point Injection two weeks ago. The latter two were unsuccessful. A facet injection has been proposed. I return to Mayo on April 11th for another consultation in the Pain Clinic.
I am an active person who likes to play golf, work out, walk, and exercise with weights.
It's been difficult to find information from those who had successful MILD procedures. Many of those reporting have realized moderate to temporary success.
I want to maximize my odds by choosing the procedure that will give me quality of life.

@speedy - Looks like you've been through the long list of other-than-surgery pain management options. While frustrating, since none have produced permanent relief, you are gaining useful knowledge to inform your next steps.

What I know of MILD is that its best success is when there is only one "point" of damage to be addressed which, for you, might be "just" L4-5.

FYI - It was my meeting with a physiatrist at Mayo JAX that made me comfortable with my next steps. With that in mind, I hope you have a productive and informative meeting.

My Best. Let us know how that turns out!

I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have had limited success. I'm interested in hearing from those who were helped by this procedure.
Thanks