Are you struggling with lower back pain or leg numbness from lumbar spinal stenosis that makes standing or walking difficult? Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) at Arête Health Group gently relieves pressure on compressed nerves, helping restore mobility and comfort so you can get back to moving through your day with greater ease.
Relieve Nerve Pressure From
Spinal Narrowing
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) is a specialized, image-guided procedure used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, a condition where thickened ligaments narrow the spinal canal and compress nearby nerves. Through a very small incision, your provider removes tiny portions of excess tissue to create more space for the nerves. The goal is to reduce pressure, ease lower back and leg symptoms, and help you move more comfortably without surgery.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) Treats:
- Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Thickened ligament (ligamentum flavum) causing nerve compression
- Chronic lower back pain related to spinal narrowing
- Leg pain (often described as aching, heaviness, or burning)
- Numbness or tingling in the buttocks or legs
- Weakness in the legs when standing or walking
- Neurogenic claudication (pain that worsens with walking and improves with sitting)
- Reduced mobility due to nerve compression in the lower spine
How Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) Works
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) works by relieving pressure inside the spinal canal caused by thickened ligament tissue. Using real-time imaging for precision, your provider inserts specialized tools through a tiny incision and carefully removes small portions of excess ligament. This creates more space around the compressed nerves, improving blood flow and reducing irritation. By targeting the exact source of narrowing without disturbing surrounding structures, the procedure helps decrease pain, numbness, and weakness while supporting better movement and function in your lower back and legs.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD):
- Minimally invasive approach with a very small incision
- No implants, hardware, or major structural changes to the spine
- Performed using real-time imaging for precision and safety
- Targets the exact source of nerve compression
- Typically done as an outpatient procedure
- Shorter recovery time than open spine surgery
- Preserves the surrounding muscles and tissues
- Lower risk of complications than more invasive procedures
- Helps improve mobility, standing tolerance, and walking ability
FAQs
Am I a Candidate for This Procedure?
You may be a good candidate if you’ve been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and experience symptoms like leg pain, numbness, or difficulty walking that improve when you sit or lean forward. If conservative treatments like physical therapy, medications, or injections haven’t provided lasting relief, your provider may recommend this option.
Is the Procedure Painful?
Most patients tolerate the procedure very well. It’s typically performed using local anesthesia and light sedation, so you remain comfortable. You may feel mild pressure, but not sharp pain. Afterward, any soreness at the incision site is minimal and temporary.
What is Recovery Like?
Recovery is generally smooth and much faster than traditional spine surgery. Many patients resume light activities within a few days. You’ll receive specific guidance, but most people gradually return to normal routines without a lengthy rehabilitation period.
When Will I Notice the Results?
Some patients feel relief soon after the procedure, while others see gradual improvement over several weeks as inflammation decreases and nerves recover. Your progress will depend on your specific condition and how your body heals.
How is This Different From Traditional Back Surgery?
Unlike open spine surgery, this treatment doesn’t involve large incisions, muscle disruption, or implants. It focuses only on removing small amounts of tissue causing the problem, which means less risk, less downtime, and a quicker return to your daily life.
Schedule Your Consultation
When’s the last time your provider truly understood how your back and leg pain affects your daily life? At Arête Health Group in Paramus, you’re more than a number on a chart: you’re an individual we get to know personally and care for deeply. We curate personalized plans to help you move comfortably again. If you’re ready for meaningful relief, schedule your consultation for MILD today.
