What's your experience with Vertiflex Superion Implant?

Hello @klg and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sure you've done your own research on the procedure, however, in case you are interest, I did find this YouTube explanation that may or may not help.

-Vertiflex Superion Implant:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/veriflex-superion-implant/?pg=6#comment-475617

Would you consider your symptoms to be mild to moderate, which was said to be the best candidate for this by the person in the video above?

I would say my symptoms are severe, I cant stand up for more than 2 minutes without severe pain and i cannot walk very far at all. Now the pressure is startiDOEng to affect bowels and bladder. Just dont understand why something cant be done for this awful pain. I dont hear alot of positive comments about the procedure and all the drs that I have talked to dont know anything about it, have never heard of it.Does Mayo clinic do the vertiflex procedure

@klg Mayo Clinic offers a variety of minimally invasive procedures depending on the needs of each patient. If you are interested in learning more, I've included a couple resources below.

Spinal Stenosis Care at Mayo Clinic:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal-stenosis/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20352969

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - Mayo Clinic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEkDXU0Eypk

Have you considered a second opinion?

klg, It sounds like you are really suffering and I do not know your age but I feel you need to research the information that Mayo Clinic can offer. I went to the one in Phoenix many years ago and I was very impressed. They have a very sincere approach to everything. I did not go for my spinal stenosis but thinking about trying them again. I went to them because my grandmother, my mother, and now my little sister have ALS and they were able to verify that I do not have this. (They were able to diagnose my mother with ALS which at that time her local doctors could not.) But back to the vertiflex procedure, I must tell you that I do have some improvement..... maybe 50%. I was just expecting more but it might be too early to throw in the towel. Also, I am a very determined person to get things done and do not rely on my family as much as I should. With the vertiflex, you cannot bend, lift, or twist AT ALL for the first 6 weeks. And, I think any longer. I know on YouTube people bost of all kinds of things but depending on one's age I think the clue is to be really really careful for the 6 weeks and maybe longer. Actually, my family calls it as being stubborn. Anyway, my heart goes out to you for your pain. I have been there before. Keep researching for more info. Do not give up.

Sandy, I think I might be doing better. I am trying to wean off some of my pills at night because that is when I have the most pain and cannot sleep. I will have a couple of good nights and then one bad one. Instead of 2Tylenol PMs and gabapentin am trying Melatonin. It does not last as long....also Ice bags are my friends. But during the day I find I am able to do more and do not take anything. I am able to shop without leaning on a grocery cart. Big deal but oh well. I am really wanting to stand up straight....but I am still leaning over. I feel old and tired but trying to keep a positive attitude. I understand that Mayo has a stem cell research program for spinal stenosis so plan to read about that. I am waiting for the pools to open in my state and will try that too. I just wish we could hear from more people. I might check out FB and see if there is a group for this but I am not really fond of that idea.

I will be 80 on 4/9 but my mind is good, I'm a retired nurse and think somme of this pain is from my profession. I also can;t stand up straight I have to have a buggy but still can;t walk very far. Had a bad experience with gabapentin my pcp put me on 100 mg 3 x a day and that was ok and then I went to a neurologist and he inceased it immediately to 300 mg 3 x a day so went from 300 mg a day to 900 mg a day and I walked into walls, doorways, etc had bruises and black eyes, it was terrible. My distance judgement was way off so I quit taking that immediately. Am I understanding you completely, you did have vertiflex procedure done? How much has it helped you and where did you have it done?

My husband Is turning 80 this year and he is sharper and more "with it" than I am. (I am 72) I was politely trying to see if you were on medicare because they pay for the first vertiflex. This evening I have been on FaceBook Spinal Stenosis Support Groups. I am waiting to hear from some of them. Yes, I had it done mid-Feb. The reason I think this procedure is not done in the hospital is because it is considered a non-evasive surgery and usually done without being put out completely. Therefore it can be done in clinics. My surgeon did not want to do another surgery on me so recommended a pain doctor in my town. I live in New Mexico. The pain doctor and the surgeon had a consultation and thought it was a good choice for me. Gabapentin does not really help me much for pain but it does help to put me out at night. Nowadays it is really hard to get good pain relievers due to all the new regulations. Right now I think I might have gotten 50% relief. But I think this will not help you as much. I am not in as much pain as you......I was about 6 years ago but I have had 2 surgeries since then. My personal opinion is to go to a surgeon and get an MRI scheduled if you have not done that yet. Ice bags (the gel kind) really help. In my research tonight I found most people's surgeons do not recommend the vertiflex implant. I will keep you posted the more I find out and let you know of my improvements if any. I do want to thank you for your nursing career. I am impressed. Nurses are angels I am sure!

thanks for replying to me. I had an mri scheduled for today but had to cancel it due to changing medicare health care policies. it was open enrollment period and i went with blue cross/blue shield PPO medicare so if I decided to have vertiflex surgery they would cover it, so I have to wait until next week to get my new cards and then have the dr request the mri to be preapproved. so now its a waiting game. I will continue to do research about treatments for spinal stenosis, and I really think stem cells will be in the future for a cure. do you think you are even 50% better from the vertiflex procedure and did you have it at mayo clinic? I still worry that it is only done in clinics and all of my orthopedic and neurologist never heard of the procedure

I am 88 yrs old with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis at 2 levels. My treatment so far has been conservative-no surgery. I am considerinf a Vertiflex Procedure for relief. Would appreciate hearing from persons who had had this procedure- good results? pain following procedure? complicated recovery? success with walking?

Hello @ftco and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Because you are considering a Vertiflex Procedure, I would like to bring in members @newmexico71lss @esperanza22 and @jfsherley who have shared about their experiences and might be able to help you as you decide.

Has this procedure been recommended to you or are you just starting to research it on your own?