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Any realistic alternatives to surgery for severe lumbar stenosis?
Spine Health | Last Active: Mar 3 7:57pm | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
This is the first I have heard of the MILD procedure and I wish I had known about it earlier. Actually I wish I had been diagnosed earlier. I have had nerve pain in my left leg for more than 10 years but it's my own fault for not speaking up about it for way too long. I now have DDD, 2 herniated discs, spinal stenosis and severe bilateral foraminal stenosis at L3-S1 along with spondylolisthesis at L4 and L5. The pain is now in both legs and the right side of my back. I was treated with PT, epidurals and nerve ablations for a few years and they did help but they are beginning to become less effective. I just scheduled a laminectomy and TLIF and I am terrified. You might get temporary relief with the conservative procedures but don't wait too long. Good luck with your decision, I hope you qualify for the MILD procedure.
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@llander1966
I had what I believe is this exact procedure end of October 2025. Didn't help at all; and now the persistent aching pain front of my upper left leg and down to the ankle is persistent; even at night, turning over in bed is painful. it doesn't subside during the day for about 4 hours after I rise; and often requires me to walk, sit and continue walking for a mile before it eases. I can't even stand up straight in the mornings without 7 or 8 level pain around left side of spine, across my hip and under the kidney...Afternoons and evenings are better.
this was my third surgery in 25 years; laminectomy and 2-level fusion eliminated the pain. this one failed. I agreed to do this minimally invasive procedure in lieu of expanding my 2-level fusion to a 3-level; which I bet would have cured this situation.
I'm 76.