Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD)

Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD®) provides a safe and effective way to treat spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spine). If you suffer from low back pain, MILD may provide lasting relief. At Pain Medicine of the South in Knoxville, Tennessee, the team of interventional pain management specialists regularly performs minimally invasive lumbar decompression. To learn more about MILD, make an appointment by calling the office or booking online today.

What is minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)?

Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) is a type of spine surgery that relieves back pain caused by a pinched nerve.

During treatment, your surgeon uses special tools to remove part of your vertebrae (and the surrounding muscle). Eliminating these tissues takes the pressure off your nerves, reducing stiffness and encouraging your mobility. Download Patient Brochure

Who can benefit from minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)?

You might be a candidate for MILD if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Mild to severe lower back pain
• Numbness or weakness in your legs
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels

The Pain Medicine of the South team recommends noninvasive treatments first, but if your symptoms persist or worsen, you may qualify for surgery.

How do I prepare for minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)?

Before recommending MILD, your provider reviews your medical history and asks several questions, including if you’re pregnant or trying, whether you take prescription medication, and if you have any allergies.

To reduce the risk of complications, you might be asked to quit smoking, stop taking certain medicines, or fast the night before surgery. You also need someone to pick you up after your procedure.

What does minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) involve?

MILD is an outpatient procedure that takes 1-3 hours.

On the day of your procedure, you change into a hospital gown and lie face down on an operating table. Your provider administers general anesthesia intravenously, causing you to fall asleep.

Your surgeon cleans and sterilizes your skin and then makes a series of small incisions in your back or neck. They carefully remove the pieces of bone and/or tissue putting pressure on the nerves in your spine, and then close the incisions. When the anesthesia wears off, a friend or family member can take you home.

What is recovery like after minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)?

After MILD, you may experience swelling, bruising, and drainage near your incisions. Get lots of rest, take your medications as prescribed, and attend your follow-up visits.

You enroll in physical therapy after your body starts healing for strengthening exercises and stretching, which can speed up your recovery process.

Request a MILD consultation today at Pain  Medicine of the South. Call the office to speak with a staff member or click the online booking feature today.