MILD and Disc FX procedure

I just had the Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) done 2 days ago. Both L3-4 and L4-5 had ligaments that infolded into the central canal space. It is too early to know if it will help or not yet, as the spine has to heal. It could take 2-3 weeks for the pain to subside and 6-8 weeks to fully heal. Each person has their own set of conditions, like I also have facet joint stenosis and foraminal stenosis which the MILD. Procedure cant correct (but I don’t think that traditional Laminectomy will either). At 79 years old I am trying to avoid that surgery. This is painful enough ad is much less invasive. I was willing to try MILD to see if the results are “good enough” for me to walk with less pain. If you have central spinal stenosis with ligamentsl flavum hypertropy it is worth considering if other treatments fail. If mine doesn’t work then I will know more—not a mistake to have tried. Get a seasoned Doc to consult with. Hope this helps.

Can you please clarify when you say you had MILD? I saw a pain specialist who described the procedure as very well suited to help with the pain from my lumbar stenosis/ligamentum flavum thickness and told me it was done in the office and involved scraping away/thinning the ligament. He also told me most patients are going back to normal activity within a day or two and that healing time was minimal because the procedure is about as invasive than getting an epidural shot. What you describe -- 6 to 8 weeks to heal! -- sounds nothing like this.

The doc I saw is an anesthesiologist and has done more than 100 of these procedures. Could you please tell me what kind of physician you saw, and could you please tell me a bit more about what you experienced undergoing the procedure? I am not a candidate for any kind of spine surgery (have severe osteoporosis) or ablation or steroid injections and am considering MILD. But what you described doesn't really match was I was told by my doc.

My stenosis is severe st 2 levels and was treated bilaterally at each. Some people need less and are able to bounce back quicker. Sounds like you fit into that category. My doctor also is an anesthesiologist painter specialist. I was under “twilight sedation “ besides the local so I was “out “. I was surprised myself at the pain level after and I hope he wasn’t too aggressive. I’m sorry I posted before waiting several weeks.

Don't be sorry about posting on my account! I was glad to see anyone posting about this procedure. I had posted a few weeks ago, I believe to the spine group, asking to hear from folks who'd had it and done well -- the only comments I'd seen on Mayo Connect (and there were only 2 or 3) were disappointing. So I'm glad to be corresponding with you.

I have stenosis at 3 levels. My doc said that means 3 separate procedures, each under twilight sedation, with a 60-day wait in between procedures. I'm not sure whether the wait time is medically necessary in my case or whether that's the way Medicare wants it done in order to cover. Did you have both levels done during the same procedure?

Still would like to hear from anyone else who has had the MILD procedure. When I asked weeks ago, there was nary a response.

Scheduled to have the Disc FX and maybe MILD in March. I’ve been looking for comments from people that has had the procedure done in the past. Got to be someone out there 🤷🏼‍♀️

I had both levels done at the same time, but thru only one incision. Depends on your doctor,s level of experience and choices. You could ask him why he does it that way. I would think that recovery is easier with separate procedures. Plus you can see what gets affected at each level. Q—will your insurance approve that? I never thought to ask about separate procedures.
It’s been one week today and first night being able to sleep ok. I cannot take ibuprofen because of bleeding history in gut. Also am on ssri med so cannot take many pain meds because of dangerous interactions. I will keep you posted.