1. < Spine Health

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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pablo81 | @pablo81 | Jan 12 9:10am
In reply to @kdks99 "Thank you for your response. I cannot count the number of physicians I have consulted, looking..." + (show)
@kdks99

Thank you for your response. I cannot count the number of physicians I have consulted, looking for a solution to chronic lumbar spine pain. I have many issues all delineated in two lumbar spine MRIs. The physicians all have great credentials and are at reputable teaching hospitals and their recommendations contradict each other. I do use google scholar to search for evidence based research on treatment options but it is hard to evaluate the quality of the research. I am trying to figure out my options. Thus far I've been told no surgery! yes surgery! no fusion! yes fusion. I've tried multiple rounds of physical therapy injections, etc, and so far nothing has helped. I've seen physiatrists who sent me to surgeons, physiatrists who recommend all kinds of treatments from MILD, to PRP, to peptides, medical marijuana etc. I would like to find someone that will tell me their best idea for treatment and provide a realistic assessment of success of the recommended treatment. After 6 years I finally asked my PCP what percent of her patients had successful back surgery. 50%. That would have been good to know. I know the problem with back surgery is once you've had it you've had it and things can definitely worsen. I suppose it's just a dream but I'd really like to find a surgeon who, after evaluating my imaging and symptoms provide a treatment plan and realistic evidence based possible outcomes so I can make the best decision.

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I completely agree with your sentiment. I have had very conflicting inputs. The approach I am now taking is to be able to sit with doc in front of my MRI and discuss options based upon what we both see. I had one doc that was not able to call up my MRI for viewing yet was recommending a procedure.

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1 reply
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 24 1:59pm

I've read with interest many who had the MILD and Veriflex procedures for L4-L5 pain. Since last December I've had a Radiofrequency Ablation and two weeks ago a Trigger Point Injection at Mayo. Neither of these procedures helped relieve the 10+ pain I experience getting up at night and for two hours in the morning. I'm interested in hearing from those who had a successful MILD and other minimally invasive procedures.
Thank you

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denheels | @denheels | Mar 25 8:11am
In reply to @pablo81 "I completely agree with your sentiment. I have had very conflicting inputs. The approach I am..." + (show)
@pablo81

I completely agree with your sentiment. I have had very conflicting inputs. The approach I am now taking is to be able to sit with doc in front of my MRI and discuss options based upon what we both see. I had one doc that was not able to call up my MRI for viewing yet was recommending a procedure.

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I ran from the first surgeon I saw who couldn’t find my EMG results (done within his practice) and had a printout of my CT vs looking at the MRI images in his computer. For the love of Pete, what century are we in?

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Speedy | @speedy | Mar 25 3:23pm

I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have had limited success. I'm interested in hearing from those who were helped by this procedure.
Thanks

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4 replies
healthseeker77 | @healthseeker77 | Mar 25 3:49pm
In reply to @speedy "I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have..." + (show)
@speedy

I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have had limited success. I'm interested in hearing from those who were helped by this procedure.
Thanks

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Hi Speedy,
Thank you for posting this question about MILD. I had not previously heard of MILD so I looked it up.
https://www.treatingpain.com/treatments/mild-procedure/

It certainly looks promising. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in my spine in Dec 2023, and I have not yet had any spinal stenosis but I am now aware of a possible treatment should I have a problem in the future.

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Mentor
Phil, Volunteer Mentor | @upstatephil | Mar 26 7:32am

@speedy - Good morning. When scanning the online information about spinal surgeries - it's quickly clear both the device manufacturers and the surgeons are searching for more minimally invasive procedures to reduce the recovery time from spinal surgeries. MILD is such an approach.

I didn't see what your diagnosis was in terms of how significant a surgical procedure was recommended? Most minimally invasive (MIP) procedures can be an option for single level spinal work but are less effective for bigger work.

Either way - you should research all the recent MIP that are out there and ask the neurosurgeon if you're a candidate. Reducing the challenges of surgical recovery is a worthwhile objective!

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1 reply
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 26 11:25am
In reply to @upstatephil "@speedy - Good morning. When scanning the online information about spinal surgeries - it's quickly clear..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@speedy - Good morning. When scanning the online information about spinal surgeries - it's quickly clear both the device manufacturers and the surgeons are searching for more minimally invasive procedures to reduce the recovery time from spinal surgeries. MILD is such an approach.

I didn't see what your diagnosis was in terms of how significant a surgical procedure was recommended? Most minimally invasive (MIP) procedures can be an option for single level spinal work but are less effective for bigger work.

Either way - you should research all the recent MIP that are out there and ask the neurosurgeon if you're a candidate. Reducing the challenges of surgical recovery is a worthwhile objective!

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Hi Phil

Thank you for responding. No surgical procedures have been proposed. My symptoms include spinal stenosis in the L4-L5, lumbar facet arthritis, and degenerative arthritis at both SI joints. My pain level in the L4-L5 area is 10+ when I get up during the night continuing for two hours in the morning. Heat, stretching, ice, Advil, and Tylenol are all used. I did PT, acupuncture, seven epidural injections, (which gave me temporary relief) chiropractic, RFA last January, and a Trigger Point Injection two weeks ago. The latter two were unsuccessful. A facet injection has been proposed. I return to Mayo on April 11th for another consultation in the Pain Clinic.
I am an active person who likes to play golf, work out, walk, and exercise with weights.
It's been difficult to find information from those who had successful MILD procedures. Many of those reporting have realized moderate to temporary success.
I want to maximize my odds by choosing the procedure that will give me quality of life.

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2 replies
Mentor
Phil, Volunteer Mentor | @upstatephil | Mar 26 2:14pm
In reply to @speedy "Hi Phil Thank you for responding. No surgical procedures have been proposed. My symptoms include spinal..." + (show)
@speedy

Hi Phil

Thank you for responding. No surgical procedures have been proposed. My symptoms include spinal stenosis in the L4-L5, lumbar facet arthritis, and degenerative arthritis at both SI joints. My pain level in the L4-L5 area is 10+ when I get up during the night continuing for two hours in the morning. Heat, stretching, ice, Advil, and Tylenol are all used. I did PT, acupuncture, seven epidural injections, (which gave me temporary relief) chiropractic, RFA last January, and a Trigger Point Injection two weeks ago. The latter two were unsuccessful. A facet injection has been proposed. I return to Mayo on April 11th for another consultation in the Pain Clinic.
I am an active person who likes to play golf, work out, walk, and exercise with weights.
It's been difficult to find information from those who had successful MILD procedures. Many of those reporting have realized moderate to temporary success.
I want to maximize my odds by choosing the procedure that will give me quality of life.

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@speedy - Looks like you've been through the long list of other-than-surgery pain management options. While frustrating, since none have produced permanent relief, you are gaining useful knowledge to inform your next steps.

What I know of MILD is that its best success is when there is only one "point" of damage to be addressed which, for you, might be "just" L4-5.

FYI - It was my meeting with a physiatrist at Mayo JAX that made me comfortable with my next steps. With that in mind, I hope you have a productive and informative meeting.

My Best. Let us know how that turns out!

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1 reply
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 26 4:19pm
In reply to @upstatephil "@speedy - Looks like you've been through the long list of other-than-surgery pain management options. While..." + (show)
@upstatephil

@speedy - Looks like you've been through the long list of other-than-surgery pain management options. While frustrating, since none have produced permanent relief, you are gaining useful knowledge to inform your next steps.

What I know of MILD is that its best success is when there is only one "point" of damage to be addressed which, for you, might be "just" L4-5.

FYI - It was my meeting with a physiatrist at Mayo JAX that made me comfortable with my next steps. With that in mind, I hope you have a productive and informative meeting.

My Best. Let us know how that turns out!

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Phil

Thanks again for your response. If you're willing to share, I'm curious about what the Physicist at Mayo JAX , made you feel comfortable with your next steps. Are your symptoms like mine?

Thanks, Mike

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1 reply
Speedy | @speedy | Mar 26 6:19pm
In reply to @speedy "I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have..." + (show)
@speedy

I follow with interest the posts regarding patients who have had the MILD procedure. Some have had limited success. I'm interested in hearing from those who were helped by this procedure.
Thanks

Jump to this post

Hi healthseeker

I read the ad from the National Spine & Pain Center. The success rate and longevity they quote may be 100% correct. Personally, I will investigate research and recommendations by the major clinics and hospitals. Mayo, John Hopkins and Cleveland are three institutions constantly doing research on the latest techniques.

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