MILD Specialist

What is MILD?

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression procedure (MILD®) is a treatment similar to an injection and can relieve pain in the lower back. Your lumbar spine is the portion of your spine within the lower back and is prone to injuries and complications that result in back pain. This procedure targets the lower spine to improve symptoms originating there.

As an outpatient procedure, MILD doesn’t require you to spend the night in the hospital; you can go home the same day without implants or stitches of any kind. In addition, the procedure is comfortable enough not to require general anesthesia, and the recovery is quick.

Although results vary with MILD, you can get the best possible results by following your treatment plan closely. Other options like physical therapy and medications can also help you manage the pain or improve mobility. 

Who can benefit from MILD?

MILD can help with back or neck pain. It can also help you stand up straight if you stoop due to certain spinal conditions. 

The team at Johnston Pain Management, P.A., routinely uses MILD to treat lumbar spinal stenosis. This is a condition that comes from a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back. Lumbar spinal stenosis can come from bone spurs or thickening ligaments and tends to compress nerve roots, causing pain, burning, and discomfort in the legs and buttocks. 

During the MILD procedure, your physician removes excess ligament tissue through a small incision. This procedure reduces nerve compression in the targeted part of your back, thereby minimizing your symptoms. 

How should I prepare for MILD?

The MILD procedure is minimally invasive, so it doesn’t require as much preparation as open surgery. The team ensures you’re a good candidate by conducting a consultation which may include imaging tests and a physical exam.

If you’re a candidate for MILD, you get instructions on how to prepare before your appointment. You may need to:

• Take the day off work
• Discuss options for sedation or local anesthesia
• Stop smoking
• Stop taking certain medications
• Fast for 6-12 hours

You should be sure to let the team know of any medications and supplements you take ahead of time so they can tell you whether or not you need to adjust your regimen before undergoing the MILD procedure. 

To schedule a consultation for the MILD procedure, call Johnston Pain Management, P.A., or book an appointment online today.