Anyone had a interspinous process device (Minuteman) fusion procedure?

I wasn't thankful for the PT book suggestion; I was thankful he did not suggest (or push) for more procedures that would benefit him more than me.
What did the Standford University do to make things better?

Hi gently,
I posted a reply, but it somehow did not get to the right place.
I was interested to know what the Standford University Pain Clinic did that helped you.

medical nerve blocks, radiofrequency, botox in the back of the neck and along the spine, vertebroplasty
All small procedures that changed everything.

The Minuteman procedure was performed on my L4, L5 on 4/26/2023. It has been the most excruciating post-op pain I’ve ever experienced! To top it off, the spine surgeon did not have a pre-op consultation with me to explain any of it. I had been getting spinal injections every 6-8 weeks that worked very well. This doctor suggested tiny spacers and showed me with his thumb and index finger a thickness of about 1/16” to 1/8” . He said I wouldn’t have to keep coming back for injections, but since I have DDD, it may need to be done again on future discs. He did not have my informed consent and I’m not finding anything in the fine print. There was no restrictions in the packet of information that I was sent home with, I was just instructed to walk and scheduled for a 2 week post-op appointment where he basically handed me another pain med prescription. After about 6 weeks I called his office and asked if I should still be in so much pain. They said that I had not come in for a 6 week post-op which was never scheduled and I had no idea that I was supposed to. Went in very next day and the doctor was very defensive when I asked why he did this and his reply was at least he didn’t perform the “big” surgery. He told me to get a new MRI and CT for him to give me his opinion. I did the very next day and have still not heard from him to this day. The radiologist report said that my spine is fractured vertically where the screw is. I am basically disabled now and seeing another spine doctor next month. I want this torture device removed if at all possible.
I have osteoporosis and his own PA said that people with osteoporosis are not good candidates because of thin bones. (The doctor had not came into the exam room yet.) Her eyes became big as saucers when I told her I have osteoporosis and they have my medical history on file.
Please think long and hard before getting the minuteman. I wish I would have had a choice.

I am sorry for what you are going through. I can relate to the excruciating post-op pain after Minuteman procedure. It has been 11 months since my surgery and there has not been any relief. It has been worse since the procedure. I don't know if I had a pre-op consultation, but the Dr. said he has successful results with spacers and said there would be no down time. I also have DDD among other issues and he never mentioned having to need more on future discs. I have had many procedures but no injections every 6-8 weeks like you had. I guess the "big" surgery would have been open as opposed to minimally invasive. I also had recent C-scan, the spacer was where it should be, I am not sure I would be up to having it removed.
I'm glad you made the decision to find another Dr. and he/she can help you. Good luck.

I had the MINUTEMAN procedure done in March 2022 for my Lumbar spinal stenosis. It was done after having Epidural steroid injections that failed to give me any pain relief. I am actually sorry I had this procedure done because having an interspinous device inserted has not provided me with any pain relief. I am still suffering with pain, have seen a new doctor, who prescribed Physical therapy, Acupuncture and Chiropractics which I began in March 2023. Needless to say none of those treatments provided me with any pain relief either. So now I'm told my only option is to have the Spinal Cord Stimulator procedure done.

kathy64, you may have surgery to remove the device. You should not have had this procedure before resolution of the osteoporosis. If you are not on an osteoporosis medication, I would suggest Forteo. It is often used with spinal hardware because it helps secure the screws. It will help heal the break and strenghten all of your bones.
I met a man at the imaging center last week who'd had spinal fusion even though he had osteoporosis. Of course, the surgery failed.
You didn't hear back from the surgeon and he is praying that he never hears back from you or your lawyers.
It is so good that you didn't tolerate the pain and that you immediately had the scans. I wouldn't want to wait a month to see a surgeon unless the fracture is stable.
The minuteman screw is place in the interspinal interlaminal space. You might watch this video to see which part of the vertebrae is fractured. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6JSUbWMt3g You may have been fitted with a screw that is too large. You might call a rep from Minuteman. I'd ask them to review the medical imaging.
I'm hoping for good resolution for you.

I am following up from my prior post and apologize that I haven’t been posting as this minuteman ordeal progressed. I have seen three more neurological spine doctors who have ALL been appalled at this being done. I will be having the device removed 11-28-23 and it will be painful as well, but this surgeon is letting my body rest and heal afterwards and feels it will relieve all the nerve pain I’ve had shooting thru my spine and body. I was on Forteo but had all the side effects and am back on Fosamax. It may take longer to strengthen my bones, but I am hopeful I will not need more surgery. I have requested to keep the device for evidence when I sue the surgeon who violated me. One doctor told me that the surgeon who did this to me is a wild card and he has been getting away with this type of abuse because no one thinks they can stand up to a doctor and have any recourse. He has tangled with the wrong gal!! My whole career has been in social services, advocating for those that cannot advocate for themselves. I cannot stand by with any thought of him doing this to anyone else!

any updates?

I am a patient that had the Minuteman system implanted Feb 5, 2024. I am thrilled. I woke up feeling better than I had in a very long time. Now, 4 months later, I'm still doing great. The Minute man bolt was installed from the back hip so no muscles & ligaments were cut as in traditional fusions. I had a 3 month recovery time, but it was a much easier recovery than my other 3 lumbar surgeries. If your vertebrae are crushing down on each other when standing or sitting, causing legs to go numb & weak this is a great procedure, but please ask your Dr what's best for you as we all have different issues.