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

Posted by ladeedi51 @ladeedi51, Apr 21, 2023

hi everyone, I am a 72 year old female who has had low back pain for the last 20+ years. I have severe spinal stenosis in the L4 – L5 region. I have tried every injection out there to no relief I correct that I did have pain going down my left outer leg and the injections seem to help that no more pain, I’m very grateful for that.
A year ago I had the Vertiflex device inserted between L4-L5 - my recovery for supposedly a non-invasive surgery was awful and the worse part it didn’t help at all.
Went through all that for nothing.
My doctor now wants to do the MILD (Minimally invasive ligament decompression) procedure. This is where they remove some of the thickening ligaments around your disc, it creates more space between the disc supposedly reducing the pain. No large incision, no stitches just a band aid. I’m hesitant to do it because of my experience with the Vertiflex.
I was wondering has anyone had this MILD procedure-how was recovery, was it successful?
Also, doctor mentioned having the LinQ
Another minimal invasive surgery.
I would love to hear from anyone who had this procedure done and how you are doing today.
I appreciate any information you may offer.

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cathy2223 | @cathy2223 | Mar 27 1:10am
In reply to @speedy "I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have..." + (show)
@speedy

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

Jump to this post

Hello
I am also highly interested in this procedure. Looking for relief in my stiff legs
Thanks

REPLY
Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Mar 27 7:32am
In reply to @speedy "Phil Thanks again for your response. If you're willing to share, I'm curious about what the..." + (show)
@speedy

Phil

Thanks again for your response. If you're willing to share, I'm curious about what the Physicist at Mayo JAX , made you feel comfortable with your next steps. Are your symptoms like mine?

Thanks, Mike

Jump to this post

@speedy - I'm happy to answer any questions you have!

I exhibited many of the "severe stenosis" symptoms, some for decades. Upon the advice of doctors (who were also friends) I postponed surgery as long as possible using exercise, stretching, daily NSAIDs, etc to manage my discomfort. I have degenerative arthritis so I knew it was likely I'd degrade to the point of needing surgery, ultimately.

What tipped my personal risk management scale to "do the surgery" was when I started having sudden-onset leg numbness in both legs multiple times a day. I began to imagine myself falling down a flight of stairs.

The physiatrist was the third doc to view and opine on my back films - covering my entire spine. As a pain doctor, he had no motivation towards any one treatment direction so I felt his opinion was particularly "pure". Make sense?

I don't subscribe to the idea that all surgeons only want to do surgery to correct the problem. But it was comforting for an expert non-surgeon to make that recommendation.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Mar 27 7:42am
In reply to @speedy "I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have..." + (show)
@speedy

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

Jump to this post

Hello @speedy, I combined your MILD discussion with the existing discussion on "MILD (minimally invasive ligament decompression) and/or LinQ?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mild-procedure-andor-linq/ where you have discussed this procedure with Connect members.

I did this so newcomer @healthseker77 could also see the posts from other members on the subject as well.

REPLY
1 reply
jm1 | @jm1 | Mar 27 9:54am
In reply to @speedy "Hi Phil Thank you for responding. No surgical procedures have been proposed. My symptoms include spinal..." + (show)
@speedy

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.

Jump to this post

Hi Speedy

Sorry to hear of your pain and wish you well in your journey to relieve it. For me,Dr advised and I had to give up golf and lower body weights. They only added to the problem. Even PT with isometric bands have to be cautious. Have to be very careful with any upper body work as well. It was frustrating but you find other safer options. GOOD LUCK!!!

REPLY
1 reply
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 27 10:13am
In reply to @upstatephil "@speedy - I'm happy to answer any questions you have! I exhibited many of the "severe..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@speedy - I'm happy to answer any questions you have!

I exhibited many of the "severe stenosis" symptoms, some for decades. Upon the advice of doctors (who were also friends) I postponed surgery as long as possible using exercise, stretching, daily NSAIDs, etc to manage my discomfort. I have degenerative arthritis so I knew it was likely I'd degrade to the point of needing surgery, ultimately.

What tipped my personal risk management scale to "do the surgery" was when I started having sudden-onset leg numbness in both legs multiple times a day. I began to imagine myself falling down a flight of stairs.

The physiatrist was the third doc to view and opine on my back films - covering my entire spine. As a pain doctor, he had no motivation towards any one treatment direction so I felt his opinion was particularly "pure". Make sense?

I don't subscribe to the idea that all surgeons only want to do surgery to correct the problem. But it was comforting for an expert non-surgeon to make that recommendation.

Jump to this post

Phil

Thanks again for responding. What surgical procedure did you you have to minimize or eliminate your pain?

Thanks

REPLY
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 27 10:17am
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @speedy, I combined your MILD discussion with the existing discussion on "MILD (minimally invasive ligament..." + (show)
@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @speedy, I combined your MILD discussion with the existing discussion on "MILD (minimally invasive ligament decompression) and/or LinQ?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mild-procedure-andor-linq/ where you have discussed this procedure with Connect members.

I did this so newcomer @healthseker77 could also see the posts from other members on the subject as well.

Jump to this post

Thanks Justin. I hope the post will generate additional feedback from those who had recent procedures.

REPLY
Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Mar 27 11:44am

Hi @speedy. Sorry - I thought I'd already described the surgeries I had. Please note all three were planned and not due to some sort of clean-up work.

Feb '23 - C4-7 ACDF. May '23 - L2-5 decompression and fusion.

What else can I share?

PHIL

REPLY
1 reply
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 28 5:49pm
In reply to @jm1 "Hi Speedy Sorry to hear of your pain and wish you well in your journey to..." + (show)
@jm1

Hi Speedy

Sorry to hear of your pain and wish you well in your journey to relieve it. For me,Dr advised and I had to give up golf and lower body weights. They only added to the problem. Even PT with isometric bands have to be cautious. Have to be very careful with any upper body work as well. It was frustrating but you find other safer options. GOOD LUCK!!!

Jump to this post

Thanks jm1.

REPLY
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 28 6:01pm
In reply to @upstatephil "Hi @speedy. Sorry - I thought I'd already described the surgeries I had. Please note all..." + (show)
@upstatephil

Hi @speedy. Sorry - I thought I'd already described the surgeries I had. Please note all three were planned and not due to some sort of clean-up work.

Feb '23 - C4-7 ACDF. May '23 - L2-5 decompression and fusion.

What else can I share?

PHIL

Jump to this post

Thanks Phil. I reread your prior post. Fortunately, I haven't experienced pain traveling down my legs. I'm fast running out of nonsurgical options. Next step, facet injection. RFA and a trigger point injection did not help. I'm winning the fight with stage IV metastatic nsclc The idea of a surgery has forced me to add another ounce of Grey Goose to my nightly drink. That said, I feel very comfortable and confident that The Mayo Clinic is the best place for me.
Take care

REPLY
Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Mar 31 8:21am

@speedy - I love your attitude! Great Goose can be an excellent method for internal anesthetization. Best of luck. Keep learning, trying, and deferring surgery until you no longer can. Only you will know when that point has been reached...

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