What is lumbar spinal stenosis?
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is a condition that affects the spine. It is caused when the spinal canal narrows, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs. If conservative treatments such as nerve blocks/epidural steroid injections fail, there are two advanced minimally invasive treatments available for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: Mild procedure and Vertiflex. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, it is important to see a doctor right away to determine which treatment is right for you.
Who is at risk for lumbar spinal stenosis?
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) is a painful condition that affects the spine that commonly happens in people who are over the age of 50. Younger people may be at higher risk of spinal stenosis if they have a spinal problem such as idiopathic scoliosis.
Causes of lumbar spinal stenosis
The spinal canal narrowing puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves and results in tingling, numbness, and weakness. The causes of spinal cord and nerve compression include:
- Bone spurs. Deterioration from arthritis can cause the bone in your spine to overproduce. They can compress into the spinal canal.
- Herniated discs. Discs act like cushions between your spinal bones. If part of the disc’s soft inner material leaks out, it can press on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Thick ligaments. The strong cords that help hold the bones of your spine together can become stiff and wide over time and push into the spinal canal.
- Tumors. Although it happens less frequently, tumors can form inside the spinal canal and compress the spinal cord or nerves.
- Spinal trauma. Car accidents and other injuries can cause spinal bones to break or move out of place. Swelling nearby tissue right after back surgery can also pressure the spinal cord or nerves.
How Can I treat Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
ou can treat LSS with conservative treatments and modern alternatives as well. At MVM Health Pain, Vein, & Wellness we treat this condition using the following:
- Epidural steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
- Mild Procedure (Vertos Medical)
- Superion Interspinous Spacer (Vertiflex)
Vertiflex Procedure
The Vertiflex procedure is another minimally-invasive approach to lumbar decompression that also decreases the risk of traditional surgical risks. During the Vertiflex procedure, a small incision is made and a small tube, known as a dilator, is used to move the tissues aside and access the spine. Then an implant, known as Superion™ is placed in the spine. The Superion™ implant is made of titanium alloy and fits between the spinous processes that project off of each vertebrae. Once the implant is in place, this reduces pressure on the nerves and spinal cord, while also maintaining spinal motion. In some cases, more than one implant is needed to achieve the desired results. The Vertiflex procedure takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
There are many benefits of these minimally-invasive procedures, such as:
- no need for stitches
- can be performed using local anesthesia
- outpatient procedure
- fast, safe, and effective
- treatment area heals quickly due to minimal scarring
What Can I Expect During A Superion Interspinous Spacer Treatment?
The Vertiflex procedure is a minimally-invasive alternative to lumbar decompression. During the Vertiflex procedure, a small incision is made and a tiny tube, called a dilator, is used to move the tissues aside and reach the spine. Then a titanium alloy implant, known as Superion™ is placed between bones in the spine. Once the implant is in place, this reduces pressure on the nerves and spinal cord, while also maintaining spinal motion. In some cases, more than one implant is needed to achieve your goals. The Vertiflex procedure takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
What Are The Benefits of Vertiflex?
This minimally invasive procedure contains all the benefits that come from not having a surgical treatment including:
- No need for stitches
- It can be performed using local anesthesia.
- Outpatient procedure
- Fast, safe, and effective
- Treatment heals quickly due to minimal scarring
- Less risk of infection
- Minimal blood loss
- Motion in the spine is preserved
- Minor side effects
- High successful rate
Can I Benefit from From Vertiflex?
The Vertiflex procedure is ideal for cases of spinal stenosis caused by disc herniation or bony overgrowths of the facet joints. However, if you have any of the following signs or symptoms may be a good candidate for Vertiflex or any of our other LSS treatments:
- pain in the lower back and legs
- tingling, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs
- difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time
- loss of bladder or bowel control
If you have any of these symptoms call 223-213-2084 to request an appointment. For patients in Pennsylvania, our MVM Health is glad to offer these services in East Stroudsburg, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and Lehigh Valley. We will guide you through the process and get you the relief you need fast, safely, and effectively.
Looking for Pain Relief?
MVM Health: Pain, Vein, and Wellness services LeHigh Valley, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and surrounding communities. Reach out to us today to request an appointment.
