I have severe stenosis at L2/L3 and L3/L4. I have constant back pain that intensifies with activity. I cannot do much physical work without resting. Bending over helps relieve the pain. I have resisted open back surgery. I am 81 years if age, I get around and do about 30 minutes a day of treadmill and exercise. I am considering the above treatment but the only info I have comes from the Vendor, Veritos Inc. I would like to talk to someone who actually had it done.
I'm also considering the MILD procedure. To date, I've been unable to find success stories. Some have experienced modest relief or no relief. My local Oththo MD tells me he has performed 30 procedures. All but four were successful. I've requested an appointment at Mayo for an opinion. I hope patients who had the MILD will respond to your request.
I have been investigating the MILD procedure for my L4-L5 pain. I found an article published by the NY Times in 2012. "A Clash Over A Spine Treatment". The article is written about Dr. Daryl F. Fourney, hired by Vertos, the MILD developer, to do a clinical trial. Dr. Journey went beyond what Vertos has contracted him to do and followed patients six months after the procedure. Please read if you're considering this procedure.
@pablo81 So other members understand what you are discussing, the information on the MILD procedure can be found at this link: https://www.vertosmed.com/
I was surprised to see that this was done with a local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia.
Yes. I could clearly hear the surgeon hammering away at the Vertiflex to get it in. It went in ok. First few days it felt like the Vertiflex was trying to push me into a stooped position which I think is normal because that is what it does i.e. simulates stooping. I now am pretty much free in terms of motion but it has not helped my "shopping cart syndrome" which got me to MILD.
I have spoken to Vertos and they take a "hands off" approach to MILD other than marketing. Defer to doctor. That seems strange since they are the experts.
Yes. I could clearly hear the surgeon hammering away at the Vertiflex to get it in. It went in ok. First few days it felt like the Vertiflex was trying to push me into a stooped position which I think is normal because that is what it does i.e. simulates stooping. I now am pretty much free in terms of motion but it has not helped my "shopping cart syndrome" which got me to MILD.
I have spoken to Vertos and they take a "hands off" approach to MILD other than marketing. Defer to doctor. That seems strange since they are the experts.
Hi @pablo81, I merged your 2 discussions about minimally invasive ligament decompression (MILD) treatment into one discussion to keep you connected with @speedy and @jenniferhunter and others.
In this video for patients, Dr. Mohamad Bydon, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses back pain treatments including Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery used at Mayo Clinic
Hi @pablo81, I merged your 2 discussions about minimally invasive ligament decompression (MILD) treatment into one discussion to keep you connected with @speedy and @jenniferhunter and others.
In this video for patients, Dr. Mohamad Bydon, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses back pain treatments including Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery used at Mayo Clinic
Question I have is "How do you determine whether you are a candidate for the MILD and that it will work? Stenosis comes from all directions to the spinal cord.
Question I have is "How do you determine whether you are a candidate for the MILD and that it will work? Stenosis comes from all directions to the spinal cord.
@pablo81 The question of being a candidate for any surgery and success statistics can only be answered by a surgeon trained in the procedures. There would probably be an MRI to determine where there are problems causing stenosis. The MILD procedure seems to only address issues with the ligament thickening in the back of the spine and it is a set of tools in a kit that gets assembled in order to trim the ligament. Stenosis can also be caused by ruptured discs or bone spurs in the spinal canal or outside of it in the foramen where the nerve roots are. When a disc spills the jelly like nucleus to the outside, that causes a lot of inflammation and generates bone spur growth. That is what happened to me, and it caused spinal cord compression in the central canal. It's important for the surgeon to define all the areas that could be contributing to a spine condition before deciding on appropriate treatment.
Have you been examined by a spine specialist? Are you looking for a second opinion? The manufacturer's website does have a search for surgeons who use this MILD procedure. If you do have spine issues other than the ligament thickening, that would not be treated by the MILD procedure.
@pablo81 The question of being a candidate for any surgery and success statistics can only be answered by a surgeon trained in the procedures. There would probably be an MRI to determine where there are problems causing stenosis. The MILD procedure seems to only address issues with the ligament thickening in the back of the spine and it is a set of tools in a kit that gets assembled in order to trim the ligament. Stenosis can also be caused by ruptured discs or bone spurs in the spinal canal or outside of it in the foramen where the nerve roots are. When a disc spills the jelly like nucleus to the outside, that causes a lot of inflammation and generates bone spur growth. That is what happened to me, and it caused spinal cord compression in the central canal. It's important for the surgeon to define all the areas that could be contributing to a spine condition before deciding on appropriate treatment.
Have you been examined by a spine specialist? Are you looking for a second opinion? The manufacturer's website does have a search for surgeons who use this MILD procedure. If you do have spine issues other than the ligament thickening, that would not be treated by the MILD procedure.
I would like to find a surgeon who will do what you suggest i.e. "define all the areas that could be contributing to the spine condition".....I have used the manufacturers website and it provides pain management doctors who "do the procedure" so sorting through that becomes the issue. Are pain management doctors really qualified to do as you indicated simply because they can "do the procedure"...
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I have severe stenosis at L2/L3 and L3/L4. I have constant back pain that intensifies with activity. I cannot do much physical work without resting. Bending over helps relieve the pain. I have resisted open back surgery. I am 81 years if age, I get around and do about 30 minutes a day of treadmill and exercise. I am considering the above treatment but the only info I have comes from the Vendor, Veritos Inc. I would like to talk to someone who actually had it done.
Pablo81
I'm also considering the MILD procedure. To date, I've been unable to find success stories. Some have experienced modest relief or no relief. My local Oththo MD tells me he has performed 30 procedures. All but four were successful. I've requested an appointment at Mayo for an opinion. I hope patients who had the MILD will respond to your request.
I have been investigating the MILD procedure for my L4-L5 pain. I found an article published by the NY Times in 2012. "A Clash Over A Spine Treatment". The article is written about Dr. Daryl F. Fourney, hired by Vertos, the MILD developer, to do a clinical trial. Dr. Journey went beyond what Vertos has contracted him to do and followed patients six months after the procedure. Please read if you're considering this procedure.
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1 ReactionI am 81, get around pretty good but have low level chronic back pain (1 on scale of 1 to 10) that intensifies with extended walking or exertion.
Had anyone had the "MILD" treatment which "debulks" the ligament in low back.?
@pablo81 So other members understand what you are discussing, the information on the MILD procedure can be found at this link:
https://www.vertosmed.com/
I was surprised to see that this was done with a local anesthetic instead of general anesthesia.
Yes. I could clearly hear the surgeon hammering away at the Vertiflex to get it in. It went in ok. First few days it felt like the Vertiflex was trying to push me into a stooped position which I think is normal because that is what it does i.e. simulates stooping. I now am pretty much free in terms of motion but it has not helped my "shopping cart syndrome" which got me to MILD.
I have spoken to Vertos and they take a "hands off" approach to MILD other than marketing. Defer to doctor. That seems strange since they are the experts.
Hi @pablo81, I merged your 2 discussions about minimally invasive ligament decompression (MILD) treatment into one discussion to keep you connected with @speedy and @jenniferhunter and others.
To help you as you explore minimally invasive spine surgery options, I thought you might appreciate this Mayo Clinic article written by our spine experts for health professionals:
- Minimally invasive spine surgery: Hit or miss? https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/orthopedic-surgery/news/minimally-invasive-spine-surgery-hit-or-miss/mac-20430468
In this video for patients, Dr. Mohamad Bydon, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, discusses back pain treatments including Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery used at Mayo Clinic
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3 ReactionsQuestion I have is "How do you determine whether you are a candidate for the MILD and that it will work? Stenosis comes from all directions to the spinal cord.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@pablo81 The question of being a candidate for any surgery and success statistics can only be answered by a surgeon trained in the procedures. There would probably be an MRI to determine where there are problems causing stenosis. The MILD procedure seems to only address issues with the ligament thickening in the back of the spine and it is a set of tools in a kit that gets assembled in order to trim the ligament. Stenosis can also be caused by ruptured discs or bone spurs in the spinal canal or outside of it in the foramen where the nerve roots are. When a disc spills the jelly like nucleus to the outside, that causes a lot of inflammation and generates bone spur growth. That is what happened to me, and it caused spinal cord compression in the central canal. It's important for the surgeon to define all the areas that could be contributing to a spine condition before deciding on appropriate treatment.
Have you been examined by a spine specialist? Are you looking for a second opinion? The manufacturer's website does have a search for surgeons who use this MILD procedure. If you do have spine issues other than the ligament thickening, that would not be treated by the MILD procedure.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes
I would like to find a surgeon who will do what you suggest i.e. "define all the areas that could be contributing to the spine condition".....I have used the manufacturers website and it provides pain management doctors who "do the procedure" so sorting through that becomes the issue. Are pain management doctors really qualified to do as you indicated simply because they can "do the procedure"...