Published on September 29, 2024
Bette Davis once said, “Old age is no place for sissies!” While getting older may increase insight and wisdom, it can be physically challenging.
The spine is designed to be a “trunk” of sorts, providing support for the entire body. Over time, the balanced arrangement of bones (vertebrae) and cushions (discs) in the spine can wear away. Accidents, injuries or illnesses can also change balance alignment or cause fractures.
As with the entire body, nerves are located within the spine. They send pain signals to the brain that something is wrong.
Deterioration of vertebral structure is a fairly common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in older adults with bone loss due to osteoporosis.
The lumbar spine (lower back) is made up of five vertebrae. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that compresses the nerves that pass through the lower back and into (usually) one leg.
Over time, the disc becomes less spongy, resulting in a decrease in disc height. This can cause the disc to bulge into the spinal canal. Bone spurs may also develop, and the ligaments may thicken, causing narrowing of the innermost canal and compression of the nerves.
Low back pain may be accompanied by:
• Pain, weakness, or numbness in the legs, calves, or buttocks
• Calf cramps when walking, requiring frequent short breaks
• Pain radiating to one or both thighs and calves, similar to sciatica
• Pain relief when bending forward, sitting or lying down
Fortunately, there are advanced options that can relieve symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis without surgery.
Mary (pseudonym), a patient at Advanced Pain Management and Spine Specialists (Pain Relief Institute of America), remains comfortable despite receiving LSS. Dr. Jonathan Daitch, a board-certified interventional pain management physician, gave Mary injections regularly for years.
Injections can relieve inflammation caused by compression of specific nerves. However, the effects of the injections began to wear off. Eventually, Mary couldn’t take it anymore
Than a few minutes without pain.
Mary, now 94, wanted an option that would help her move comfortably. An updated MRI was ordered because pain returned in her lower back and extended down one leg. Thickened ligaments are thought to cause increased stress, according to Dr. Deitch’s examination.
Dr. Deitch offered Mary another option for more lasting pain relief.
MILD® (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) is an outpatient procedure that provides long-term results for many Pain Relief Institute of America patients. It relieves pressure within the spinal canal by removing excess ligamentous tissue.
MILD surgery is quick (about 30 minutes for most patients) and is performed through an incision smaller than one inch. Moreover, it is covered by National Health Insurance.
Mild results usually appear within a few days if:
Reduce pain
Restore mobility
Increased standing time by up to one hour
Increased walking distance (up to 4,000 feet)
MILD® also has a lower risk of complications. To date, more than 20,000 patients have received the treatment, proving it is as safe as injections.
After the procedure was explained in detail, Mary felt confident moving forward with the recommendations.
The procedure is performed at the Park Procedure Center at the Pain Relief Institute of America facility. During this time, Mary was in a state of “twilight sleep” and was completely comfortable throughout. She then went home to rest and spend the rest of the day.
Within a few days, Mary’s lower back and leg pain, which she had endured before, disappeared. She went further, further.
At the Center for Advanced Pain Management and Spine Specialists, Dr. Deitch provides residents of Southwest Florida with the most advanced technology in the nation.
Please call 352-397-4930 for more information.
