Any realistic alternatives to surgery for severe lumbar stenosis?

@jpeach It did not relieve my pain much. I can perhaps stand and walk for longer periods of time than before the procedure. I have scoliosis and advanced arthritis. The MILD procedure treats stenosis only as I understand it. The canal stenosis at L4 L5 that was treated was moderate. Maybe those with severe stenosis would have better results.

@jackiet I had no relief with MILD or neuro-stimulator. Seeing a surgeon next week.

@judymehaffey Do you have medical issues besides stenosis? If like me you also have arthritis, DDD, bulging discs, scoliosis, and all those other good things, MILD may not make a difference. I understand that MILD cannot treat foraminal stenosis, which I also have. The pain doc now wants to do a medial branch block to see if RFA is an option. Of interest is the fact that I had one of those about 3 years ago and the physiatrist said it didn’t work so we didn’t do the RFA. This new doc’s PA tells me that knowing where to inject can affect results, as well as how carefully the patient is able to follow and record the pain relief from the MBB.

I was surprised that my insurance company, Medicare I guess, is allowing a second try. As I will be 90 next month surgery is not for me.

@jackiet My back is a mess. I was a competitive gymnast through college and that certainly did me no favors. I've tried everything and have finally thrown in the towel. I go next Wednesday to Johns Hopkins to consult a neurosurgeon and make a new game plan.

There is radiofrequency ablatias. heat worked for me not pulse version. Sometimes you have to go twice for the same spot. It got me through 15 years and then it was time for surgery but they did nothing. I went through everything known to man. MY ADVICE is go to at LEAST 2-4 orthopedic spine surgeons. May sound crazy but they EACH had a different answer! Get MRI's every year to watch the deterioration. When you find your prince charming surgeon, you will happily glide right into fusion surgery. its all a process. I went to some pain management along the way for fluid cysts that grew on my spine. So there was a lot of non-invasive treatments I got along the way. I was THRILLED with my surgery when I met my prince! The minimal treatments are a waste of time because you will still be compromised and will eventually need the full monty. The only way you will know is by looking around. Its like getting married. Your surgeon will be your mate for life. 😉 (one surgeon told me I just had a sprain in my lumbar!) One surgeon was a neurologist and he would have never done surgery. One guy was about to do my entire back and HE got mad at me. It was a horrible divorce! but years later I found out he was sued for negligence. When I found the love of my life surgeon - he told me that he did all of that other surgeon's revisions. Been 8 years and I am very very happy. I wasn't happy I had to suffer 20 years to get to him. My surgery was at 61. I went back to work!

@loriesco
Thank you for your information. I am a 77 year-old male who is about to go for my second epidural for a spinal stenosis condition. The first one lasted over six months and I talked to at least three other doctors who told me to continue with epidural if I get the relief that I need, but I’m wondering if a non-invasive surgical procedure such as a laminectomy or a la anatomy Would correct the problem and I would not have to deal with any more shots. Just wonder what you have research on that. Thank you my name is gene

@genegro Hi Gene! Have you tried an RFA yet? The heat kind. Not the pulse. There are 3 distinct areas down the back at which to give it. I don't have a clue if back surgery is right for you because I don't know what your MRI says. Or what kind of medical journey you've been on. I do know if you have compression at L4/5 and a simple xray showing that the bones are closer at that area then they should be - AND a qualified surgeon has told you you are a candidate for a fusion laminectomy, then you are probably ready. First, the epidural lasts a few years, then half, then half and then it doesn't work - and you are ready! The point is as well, to have the surgery done (if recommended) while you are in your best shape. If you wait until you are weakened it is much harder to recover. I hope this helps! Did a great surgeon say you are ready?

There is radiofrequency ablatias. heat worked for me not pulse version. Sometimes you have to go twice for the same spot. It got me through 15 years and then it was time for surgery but they did nothing. I went through everything known to man. MY ADVICE is go to at LEAST 2-4 orthopedic spine surgeons. May sound crazy but they EACH had a different answer! Get MRI's every year to watch the deterioration. When you find your prince charming surgeon, you will happily glide right into fusion surgery. its all a process. I went to some pain management along the way for fluid cysts that grew on my spine. So there was a lot of non-invasive treatments I got along the way. I was THRILLED with my surgery when I met my prince! The minimal treatments are a waste of time because you will still be compromised and will eventually need the full monty. The only way you will know is by looking around. Its like getting married. Your surgeon will be your mate for life. 😉 (one surgeon told me I just had a sprain in my lumbar!) One surgeon was a neurologist and he would have never done surgery. One guy was about to do my entire back and HE got mad at me. It was a horrible divorce! but years later I found out he was sued for negligence. When I found the love of my life surgeon - he told me that he did all of that other surgeon's revisions. Been 8 years and I am very very happy. I wasn't happy I had to suffer 20 years to get to him. My surgery was at 61. I went back to work!

@loriesco Who and where was your prince charming surgeon?