According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, up to 23 percent of adults worldwide experience chronic low back pain, causing a significant impact on quality of life. People with this condition can have trouble with mobility, self-care, social participation or work. Greenwich Hospital’s Center for Pain Management recently expanded its capabilities for treating back pain by implementing two innovative, minimally invasive procedures geared toward getting people back to full health.
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) is a same-day, outpatient procedure that treats the root cause of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) in patients whose epidurals are no longer working. LSS occurs when the spinal canal narrows in the lumbar vertebrae, compressing the nerves and blood vessels, which causes pain and reduced mobility. During the MILD procedure, a doctor uses an imaging machine and specialized tools to remove small pieces of bone and thickened ligaments, restoring space in the spinal canal and relieving pressure on the nerves.
Unlike other surgical treatment options for lumbar spinal stenosis, MILD does not use a large incision, stitches, general anesthesia or an implant. It also does not require the use of steroids or opioids. A person experiencing pain, numbness, tingling or cramping in the lower back, legs, hips or buttocks when standing or walking may be a good candidate for MILD.
The second new minimally invasive procedure for back pain offered at the Center for Pain Management is basivertebral nerve ablation, more commonly known as Intracept. If someone has had chronic back pain for at least six months and has not received adequate relief through other conservative care options during that time (physical therapy, medication, injections, chiropractic care, etc.), they should consider Intracept.
During this procedure, a small incision is made in the lower back and a radiofrequency probe is inserted into the center of the vertebrae. The probe then applies heat to the nerve, desensitizing it and disrupting pain signals. The Intracept procedure takes about an hour, and patients receive anesthesia and a local anesthetic. They can go home the same day but will need someone to drive them. Intracept patients may notice improvements in their pain a couple of weeks after the procedure, with complete results becoming noticeable around three months after treatment.
Patients who have undergone these procedures at Greenwich Hospital say the treatments have provided extended periods of pain relief and have allowed them to return to everyday activities many take for granted such as walking, working and swimming.
The Greenwich Hospital Center for Pain Management is located on the second floor of the hospital at 5 Perryridge Rd. in Greenwich. Call 203-863-3579 for more information.
