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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@ladeedi51 I don't have experience with the procedures you've mentioned, but in some of your other posts, you described tightness and pulling down the back of your legs after the vertiflex surgery. Is that still an issue and perhaps contributing to the pain you feel now?

What I might suggest is looking at this discussion about myofascial release. All surgery creates scar tissue that gets tight and it can cause pain. It tends to link to other tightness we have from injuries or restrictions in our bodies. I have done a lot of this MFR therapy and it has really helped me. Perhaps there is a spine issue that need surgery, but fascial scar tissue and tightness can add to the pain. It may be something to try before you make a decision on further surgery.

-- Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

I'm curious if your surgeon mentioned a laminectomy? My cousin had that and was recovered and out of pain in a couple weeks. In that surgery, they cut some bone and open up space from the back of the vertebrae to treat stenosis in the spinal canal.

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I had the MILD procedure about six months ago for my intolerable lower back hip, and thigh pain and weakness and the procedure was not at all helpful. I still struggle with the same problems which make walking and standing extremely painful. Bill Weigle

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I had the Vertiflex surgery it helped me for about 2 yrs but now it’s back to lots of pain I don’t really recommend it to anyone

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I had the MILD procedure done Jan. 30th of this year. Before that, I had radiofrequency ablation. The Mild procedure has helped my leg pain so far. Still have some right side back pain but tolerable. I have spinal stenosis & disc slippage. Just started new anti-inflammatory drug called Mobic. May help with my osteo of my spine.

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I am right where you are. I had Vertiflex installed at l2/l3 for severe stenosis with "shopping cart syndrome". Did not help "shopping cart syndrome" at all. Now I am looking in to MILD. My concern is the procedure could worsen my severe stenosis because I have very little space (5.2 mm) for spinal nerves to pass. Seeking folks who may have had the procedure with similar conditions than me that was successful.

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@jenniferhunter

@ladeedi51 I don't have experience with the procedures you've mentioned, but in some of your other posts, you described tightness and pulling down the back of your legs after the vertiflex surgery. Is that still an issue and perhaps contributing to the pain you feel now?

What I might suggest is looking at this discussion about myofascial release. All surgery creates scar tissue that gets tight and it can cause pain. It tends to link to other tightness we have from injuries or restrictions in our bodies. I have done a lot of this MFR therapy and it has really helped me. Perhaps there is a spine issue that need surgery, but fascial scar tissue and tightness can add to the pain. It may be something to try before you make a decision on further surgery.

-- Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

I'm curious if your surgeon mentioned a laminectomy? My cousin had that and was recovered and out of pain in a couple weeks. In that surgery, they cut some bone and open up space from the back of the vertebrae to treat stenosis in the spinal canal.

Jump to this post

Did your cousin have one level only done? What was recovery time ? What is your cousin's age? Was he put to sleep?

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@pablo81

Did your cousin have one level only done? What was recovery time ? What is your cousin's age? Was he put to sleep?

Jump to this post

@pablo81 My cousin is an 80 year old man who had one lumbar level done with a laminectomy. After the first week, he was improved and stopped using pain medicine, and after 2 weeks, he wasn't in much pain at all and was returning to his usual activities. He had to change a bandage daily, and after the first week, it was dry when he changed it. He was taking it easy of course, and after a month, he wasn't even thinking about the surgery anymore. He said it wasn't hard to go through.

This procedure is done under anesthesia in the operating room.

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I am interested in the MILD procedure as well

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MILD is one of many minimal procedures. It does seem to make sense provided there is a clear rationale and the doctor can explain and show it to you on imaging. I recall that VERTOS the medical equipment company that developed the technology does not recommend MILD for "severe" stenosis.

I am still interested but cannot get anyone to show me and explain it adequately. For time being I am resorting back to exercise and weight loss and so far so good.

I have also had Verti flex for shopping cart syndrome to no effect.

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Hi, I had the mild procedure done in May 2018, my back pain wasn’t so terrible but I Noticed I was beginning to lean forward and had gotten worse over a few months then the backpain Became more intense, and I only was getting some relief when I bent over to the point of touching my feet or sitting down. that is when the doctor is a pain clinic suggested I have the mild procedure. I had no problems with the surgery part which was very mild, and it helped my posture, my pain, and mostly it gave me hope. Then in January 2019 I had To superion implants At L3, L4 and L4, L5 and I felt nothing different whatsoever after that procedure. Now the symptoms I had from the beginning, I’ve gotten worse over the past three years, but the doctor insist that I have no stenosis. I have had recent MRIs, and it does say narrowing in a couple of places which I thought meant stenosis. I agree with the others that say always get a second or even a third opinion before doing any major back surgery. I have had surgeons wanting to do my total spinal column for years, but coming from the medical field and seeing how many back surgeries failed I refuse to go that route into date. I am not a bit unhappy with those decisions. I wish you the best in finding relief. It seems not to come easy these days. I feel we play a waiting game much more then the attention we get for our condition.

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