(BPT) – Do you ever have pain, numbness or tingling in your lower back, legs, or buttocks? Do you often find yourself seeking a place to sit to relieve the pain? Or have you ever leaned over a shopping cart while grocery shopping to alleviate the pain? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are not alone. You are one in over 72.3 million Americans who are suffering with chronic low back pain (CLBP), which can be a debilitating physical condition[1].
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a condition in which the lower spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves causing chronic low back pain (CLBP). This compression, which, is often caused by an enlarged ligament, looks like a ‘kink in a drinking straw,’ contributing to pain and mobility issues.
This age-related condition is the leading cause of disability and physical and emotional stress amongst those who have CLBP[2]. Often, people suffering with LSS are limited by their ability to stand or walk, often stopping them from participating in their work, hobbies and activities of daily living.
If you ever notice that you find relief by bending over, or leaning on an object, such as a shopping cart, this is a tell-tale sign that you may be suffering with LSS. The most common reason for LSS is due to an enlarged ligament and up to 78% of patients with CLBP do not know the cause of their pain could be related to an enlarged ligament[1]. To confirm the source of your CLBP, you need to speak to a spine health doctor who can assess your symptoms and order the proper diagnostic imaging tests (such as an MRI).
While there are many treatments for chronic low back pain, often these improvements are temporary. If you have tried NSAIDs, physical therapy, or even an epidural steroid injection (ESI) and find that the pain continues to return, you should speak to a spine health doctor to diagnose if you are one of the millions of people with LSS due to an enlarged ligament.
If an enlarged ligament is causing your pain, your doctor can also let you know if you are a candidate for a short, outpatient, minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure, known as the mild® Procedure. This FDA-cleared procedure restores space in the spinal canal through a tiny incision smaller than the size of a baby aspirin to provide mobility and pain improvement. The procedure does not require general anesthesia, implants, stitches, steroids, or opioids, and patients typically resume normal activity within 24 hours with no restrictions [3]. The mild® Procedure is covered nationwide by Medicare (all ages, all plan types, including Medicare Advantage) the VA, U.S. Military & IHS. Commercial coverage varies. The procedure has an 85% patient satisfaction rate[4] and studies show that mild® continues to improve patient functionality over time[3]. Patients may be able to stand 7 times longer and walk 16 times farther after having this procedure[5]. Over one-year, the average standing time increased from 8 to 56 minutes with less pain, and the average walking distance increased from 246 to 3,956 ft with less pain[5].
When should you speak to a spine health doctor? If you can relate to the mobility issues below based on your age range, you should visit https://KnowYourBackStory.com/find-a-doctor/ to learn more about your options.
- If you are in your 50s and have trouble standing for more than 30 minutes, are unable to walk more than a mile, or have pain daily[1]
- If you are in your 60s with the same mobility issues above, or you are unable to jog[1]
- If you are in your 70s, and have trouble standing for 30 minutes, going up and down stairs, have problem getting in and out of a chair, or have pain daily[1]
To learn more about lumbar spinal stenosis, or to find a spine health doctor near you, you can visit www.KnowYourBackStory.com
The mild® Procedure has a strong safety profile and has been performed on thousands of patients. Although the complication rate for the mild® Procedure is low, as with most surgical procedures, serious adverse events, some of which can occur[6]. Individual results may vary. Please learn more and view safety information at vertosmed.com/patients.
[1] A Stagwell Company , H. I. & A. L. L. C. (2022, August). Mobility index and chronic low back pain survey results. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://knowyourbackstory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/HARRIS-POLL-EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY-RESULTS.pdf
[2] Chen S, Chen M, Wu X, et al. Global, regional and national burden of low back pain 1990-2019: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study 2019. J Orthop Translat. 2021;32:49-58. Published 2021 Sep 10. doi:10.1016/j.jot.2021.07.005
[3] Jain S, Deer TR, Sayed D, et al. Minimally invasive lumbar decompression: a review of indications, techniques, efficacy and safety. Pain Manag. 2020;10(5). Https://doi.org/10.2217/pmt-2020-0037. Accessed June 1, 2020.
[4] MiDAS ENCORE responder data. On file with Vertos Medical.
[5] Mekhail N, Costandi S, Abraham B, Samuel SW. Functional and patient-reported outcomes in symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis following percutaneous decompression. Pain Pract. 2012;12(6):417-425.doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2012.00565.x.
[6] Mild® Procedure for Lower Spinal Stenosis (LSS) | Treat Back & Leg Pain. (n.d.). Vertos Medical. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.vertosmed.com/patients/
