Everything You Should Know About Mild®

Is your daily life disrupted by lower back pain that’s worse when walking or standing? If so, you may have lumbar spinal stenosis — a condition Peter Fernandez, MD, effectively treats with minimally invasive lumbar decompression (Mild®).

Our team at Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, has extensive experience performing Mild procedures. Our patients experience long-lasting pain relief and improved mobility, helping them return to an active life. Here’s what you should know about Mild.

Mild explained

Mild is a procedure to treat lumbar spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spinal canal. We use the innovative Mild device during the procedure to remove the tissues causing the narrowing of the canal and pushing against spinal nerves. (Learn more about spinal stenosis in the next section.)

How does Mild differ from other decompression procedures? Here’s what you need to know:

Smaller incision size

Mild uses a tiny incision about the size of baby aspirin. Other minimally invasive decompression procedures typically make an incision about one inch long.

Forget general anesthesia and pain meds

Mild doesn’t require general anesthesia for the procedure. Additionally, you won’t need pain medications afterward.

No need to implant a device

Mild decompresses the nerves by removing tissues. Other procedures may implant a device to separate the bones, relieve pressure on the nerves, or fuse the bones.

No need for stitches

The incision is so small that we close it with a bandage after finishing your procedure.

No side effects

Mild seldom causes side effects. Only 1% of people undergoing Mild experience a problem after their procedure. By comparison, 6-23% of people having other decompression procedures experience adverse events.

Learn about lumbar spinal stenosis

Mild specifically targets lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar refers to your lower back. Spinal stenosis means the spinal canal in your lower back has narrowed because tissues protrude into the opening.

The tissues narrowing the spinal canal push against the nerves, causing inflammation and pain. Compressed nerves can also cause pain and tingling in your legs. In severe cases, a pinched nerve causes leg numbness and weakness.

Four signs you have lumbar spinal stenosis that’s treatable with Mild include:

• Pain or numbness in the lower back when standing
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in your buttocks or legs when walking
• Pain when lying down that’s relieved by curling into a fetal position
• Pain relief when sitting or leaning forward

Spinal stenosis most often develops due to thickened ligaments, which may thicken after a back injury. However, this problem most often develops gradually due to aging.

You could also have spinal stenosis caused by a bulging disc, bone spurs, and slipped vertebrae. Mild removes soft tissues and small pieces of bone. If you have a slipped vertebra, you’ll need a different treatment.

When to consider Mild

The first step is getting an evaluation to verify if your lower back pain is caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. We’ll take images like X-rays and learn about any earlier treatments you may have received. Then, we’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan.

Surgery is seldom the first treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis. Treatment begins with conservative therapies, such as anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, and physical therapy.

If your symptoms don’t improve or worsen despite treatment, it’s time to turn to interventional procedures like Mild.

What to expect during a Mild procedure

Mild is an outpatient procedure that we perform using a local anesthetic and light sedation. After preparing the incision site, we make a tiny cut and use real-time imaging to guide the Mild device through the tissues to the affected vertebra.

We use the Mild device to remove thickened ligaments, small bones, and other tissues narrowing the spinal canal. Clearing the tissues reopens the canal, decompresses the nerves, and eases your pain.

After removing the device, we cover the incision with a bandage. The entire procedure takes about one hour. You’ll stay in the office for a short time afterward so we can monitor your health. Then, you’ll need someone to drive you home.

Although we ask you to relax for the rest of the day, most people return to their usual activities within 24 hours.

Mild results

Mild significantly reduces pain and improves mobility. Most people notice the improvement in several days. However, your lower spine continues to heal, and symptoms keep improving. You’ll achieve optimal results in 3-12 months.

Ready to learn if Mild can help your lower back pain?

Schedule an evaluation today through online booking or by calling Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, or through online booking.