Minimally Invasive Procedure Offers Pain Relief for Patients with Lower Back Pain
A study from the University of Florida shows that a minimally invasive procedure, known as mild, provides pain relief and improved physical function for at least a year in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).
This research was presented at ASRA Pain Medicine’s 23rd Annual Pain Medicine Meeting, and it was selected to receive 1 of 3 Resident/Fellow Travel awards.
The study followed 136 patients between the ages of 16 and 89 who underwent the mild procedure, which is designed to reduce pressure on the spine by removing part of a thickened ligament. Unlike traditional spinal surgery, mild doesn’t require general anesthesia, large incisions, or extended recovery time, making it a safer option for many older patients.
Patient-reported pain levels dropped dramatically within the first month after the procedure, with average pain scores reduced by 30 mm on a visual analogue scale. These improvements were both statistically and clinically significant.
Although the pain relief lessened over time, the 12-month follow-up still showed marked improvement compared with baseline levels. In addition, more than 65% of patients also reported better physical function throughout the study, without any decrease in mobility or quality of life.
These findings could be significant for older adults suffering from LSS, as the procedure could provide meaningful relief without the risks associated with traditional surgery. The study showed that the procedure improves pain and function over the long term, improving patients’ quality of life.
Lumbar spinal stenosis affects more than 200,000 people in the United States and is a common reason for people to seek spinal surgery. Minimally invasive techniques can help patients avoid more invasive procedures and their associated complications.
Source
Varatharajan A, Ramirez J, Meroney M, Skelly R, Jafari A, Vasilopoulos T, Mora J, Przkora R. Outcomes of the Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression Procedure to Treat Symptomatic Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (abstract 6323). Presented at ASRA Pain Medicine’s 23rd Annual Pain Medicine Meeting, November 21-23, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.