MILD Procedure for Spinal Stenosis

Many patients with lumbar spinal stenosis notice a very specific pattern of symptoms when walking.

You may find that:

• You can walk farther when leaning forward on a shopping cart
• Walking downhill is easier than walking uphill
• Standing upright causes leg pain, heaviness, or numbness
• Sitting down or bending forward relieves the symptoms

This pattern is known as neurogenic claudication, a common symptom of spinal stenosis.

When you lean forward, the spinal canal opens slightly and reduces pressure on the nerves. When you stand upright, that space narrows again, causing pain or weakness in the legs.

Many patients describe it as:

• “My legs feel heavy when I walk.”
• “I have to stop every few minutes.”
•  “I can walk farther if I lean on something.”

If this sounds familiar, your symptoms may be caused by lumbar spinal stenosis, and treatments such as the MILD® procedure may help relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.

The MILD® procedure (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) targets one of the most common causes of spinal stenosis — thickened ligament tissue that narrows the spinal canal.

By removing small amounts of this tissue through a tiny incision, the procedure can create more space for the spinal nerves, helping many patients walk farther and stand longer with less pain.

You may want to consider evaluation for spinal stenosis if:

• Walking has become progressively more difficult
  
• You frequently need to sit down after short distances
  
• Leaning forward helps relieve your symptoms
  
• Physical therapy, medications, or injections have not provided lasting relief

A consultation at Chester County Spine Care can help determine whether minimally invasive treatments such as the MILD procedure may be appropriate for your condition.