If pain persists after conservative treatment and interventional spine injections, and there is evidence by CT Scan, MRI or X-ray or neurological deficit, then surgical intervention is usually recommended. The following least invasive procedures treat spinal stenosis with a high success rate through the removal of compressed tissue:
After making a 1-2 centimeter incision, our doctor can observe and open the small area of the lamina above and below the spinal disc using an HD camera/scope. The specialist can then also remove any thickened ligaments to relieve painful nerve compression and remove any herniated disc or bone spur causing additional pain. Patients are free to leave the clinic on the same day as the procedure, and most return to work within three months.
Vertiflex’s Superion is another least invasive alternative that requires no bone work or tissue removal. As an indirect decompression device, the Superion implant is planted between the vertebrae and holds them open to relieve pressure. Our specialist inserts the device through a small tube the size of a dime, which reduces blood loss and damage to the surrounding tissue and allows for fast recovery.
This solution is ideal for patients who have undergone six months of non-operative treatments without relief or for those who find traditional spinal surgery options too demanding.
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression or MILD® is a least-invasive procedure which can help spinal stenosis patients stand up longer and walk further distances with reduced pain. As opposed to traditional open surgery, MILD® spine surgery utilizes a very small incision, allowing for a faster recovery and quick pain relief.
During the procedure, your doctor will remove overgrown ligament and bone located at the lower part of your spine. After a short recovery, many patients quickly return to
their normal, everyday activities. These technique prevents the spinal instability associated with open surgery and avoids the invasive fusion surgical approach.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
In some cases, spinal stenosis may be so severe that it may not be able to be treated with our least invasive techniques, and therefore we use some of the minimally invasive techniques widely used by spine surgeons across the world.
- MIS Lumbar Discectomy/Laminectomy – The goal of the minimally invasive technique is to decompress the bony lamina and facets that are pressing on the spinal nerves.
- MIS Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) – This minimally invasive spine fusion provides stability for the spine and complete decompression of spinal stenosis and any pressure on the nerves at this level.
- Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) – The goal of an ACDF surgery is to remove pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves while stabilizing the affected spinal disc. The ACDF procedure has a 90% success rate.