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

I had a serious fall 2 years ago….still lotsa pain….increasing with time. New diagnosis: spinal stenosis. Kaiser refused a 2nd MRI to determine pain cause
Finally dropped Kaiser after over 50 years with them.
😠😵🥺😞. Now with Scripps in San Diego. Now I have real doctors who seem to care. New spine doc is recommending mild treatment. Have any of you had this? Would love to get as much feedback as I can on this procedure. Lynn

MILD was recommended to me by a pain specialist in Austin, Tx., and I'm waiting now to get a second opinion. My understanding is that it is supposed to work well for certain patients with specific issues. In my case it was advised because the ligament in my spine is double the normal thickness and is pinching the heck out of the nerves, and the intent of the procedure is to thin the ligament and make room for the nerves. However, I have read on Mayo Connect messages from folks who had MILD done and got no relief, or even got worse.

I do wonder what their particular issues were and whether the procedure was correctly prescribed. The article my doctor gave me stated that it could be helpful for "patients with LFH (ligamentum flavum hypertrophy) and multiple other spinal comorbidities, including lateral and foraminal stenosis." It also specifies that MILD candidates' ligamentum flavum has to be greater than 2.5 mm. My ligament is 5.4mm thick, and that's why the doctor I saw said I was an ideal candidate for the procedure. I trust that he knows what he's talking about -- he's done over 100 MILD procedures. However, the article he gave me to read about MILD was authored by people who might have received some compensation or had interest in promoting the procedure -- it was in a publication called Pain Management and was published in 2020.

Is there anyone out there who knows of more recent studies or has had MILD and had great results? If so, please weigh in. I'm noticing more bad comments than good here on Connect. But because of certain other problems with my spine, MILD might be the only option I have to deal with severe pain in my glutes, hamstrings, legs, ankles and feet.

Hi Bayhorse,
I am rhhprints67---79yo male who is researching the mild procedure because of overgrown ligiments at L3L4 and L4L5, and AM scheduled to have the MILD procedure done in Maryland in February. I am aware that it won't fix all of my issues, but I think it's a "let's see what this does for me", and then what else might I need to do. It won't make it worse.
I recently watched a Youtube video from Dr. Portor McRoberts in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida which was quite informative in explaining what Lateral Recess Stenosis and Forminal Stenosis are, compared with Central Canal Stenosis. He shows you 3d models of the lumbar spine with good explanation of the structures and why the MILD procedure can NOT reach the ligimentum Flavum that are outside the cental canal. That could be why others did not get the relief they were looking for.
That said, it may very well help you---ask your doctor to show you the side view of the MRI that will reveal where the ligiments are impinging the nerves. Also, read the MRI report yourself which will tell you where the problems arein your spine. Dr. McRoberts shows MRIs and what to look for. Be aware that he is also "selling" his service of consulting if you send him your MRI. That said, I am now better able to ask questions of my doctor in town.

I HAVE A SIMILAR SITUATION SOMETIMES, I FEEL HOPELESS SO I FEEL FOR YOU

I had mild procedure. It was helpful for a year and for all I know it’s helping now. My condition may have been worse. I had it a second time and there was no improvement. 1 morning in and out no physical therapy 2 weeks
Your active. Funny I’m considering vertiflex now. Waiting to hear something positive about it.

Anyone had the Disc-FX procedure?

Sorry for your troubles. I've had that surgery it's about 1 hour that includes waking up from the surgery. I didn't have any pain after the surgery just a little dizzy from the anesthesia.
It didn't work for me but
try itI was 83 at the time.
I've had 4 surgeries I had Fusion surgery 2years ago and I'm pain free now. But there are after effects. I have a"Drop foot " and poor balance.
I will pray for you to make your decision.

Hi, @rhhprints67 : I am seeing your response to my post quite belatedly! Thank you for sharing the information about finding out the locations where the ligaments are impinging my nerves. I'll also take a look at Dr. McRoberts' video.
Have you had your MILD procedure yet? I'd love to hear from you and find out how it went.
Wishing you all the best!

@rhhprints67 This is a P.S. to my earlier post to you. I can't locate the Dr. McRoberts YouTube video you mention which shows the different types of stenosis (later, forminal, central) and why MILD can't reach the ligamentum flavum outside the central canal. Have checked YouTube and McRoberts' website and what I'm finding is more promotional in nature, light on the technical info. If you know the title of the video you were telling me about, could you please let me know? I might be missing something.