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Outpatient, minimally invasive procedure for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis
St. Louis, MO, June 21, 2021 - If you suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a condition in which the lower spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal nerves in the lower back, this new treatment option may help. Washington University anesthesiologists and pain management specialists at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital are now offering a minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure that can help patients stand longer and walk farther with less pain.
As we age, the natural wear and tear on the spine can lead to contributing factors that cause narrowing of the spinal canal — thickening of ligament tissue, formation of excess bone, or compression/bulging of the discs. If you have LSS, you’re likely experiencing pain or numbness in your lower back and legs when standing upright and pain, numbness, heaviness or tingling in your upper legs or buttocks when walking. Temporary relief is often found when sitting or bending forward, or by curling into a fetal position when lying down.
Image courtesy of Vertos Medical.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH A MINIMALLY INVASIVE LUMBAR DECOMPRESSION PROCEDURE
A minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure is an early treatment option to consider if more conservative therapies, such as physical therapy or pain medications, are not providing adequate relief. The procedure addresses a major root cause of LSS by removing excess ligament tissue to restore space in the spinal canal. Benefits include:
- • The procedure typically takes less than an hour.
- • It requires no implants, stitches, general anesthesia, steroids or opioids.
- • Patients typically resume normal activity within 24 hours with minimal restrictions.
“Specialized tools are inserted through a tiny incision, smaller than a baby aspirin, in your back and are used to remove small pieces of bone and excess ligament that cause the narrowing of the canal,” says Hess Panjeton, MD, Washington University anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital. An imaging machine helps guide the physician through the procedure.
“The minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure decreases pain and increases mobility while maintaining the structural integrity of the spine,” says Dr. Panjeton. “This is a same-day procedure involving only local or light sedation, and it has a very low risk of major complications. Patients can typically resume normal activity within 24 hours as tolerated and because the procedure does not alter the spine’s structural stability, open surgery remains possible if needed in the future.”
This procedure is approved by the FDA and nationally covered by Medicare nationwide, and many commercial insurers are currently reviewing payment policies. Washington University physicians and BJC HealthCare accept most health insurance plans, but if you have questions, please contact your insurance company.
“The benefits for patients are at least two-fold. One, this can decrease the amount of pain that patients are experiencing from compression on the spinal cord. Two, this outpatient procedure is minimally invasive and allows a quick recovery for the patient,” he said.
“It is a great option for patients who don’t want to have surgery, patients with co-morbidities or those who are not an ideal candidate for surgery,” adds Dr. Panjeton. “Those who have the procedure are able to get back to more normal living and to the activities they enjoy very quickly.”
Watch this video to find out more about how the minimally invasive lumbar decompression procedure works.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with a Washington University physician who specializes in managing and treating chronic pain, visit BarnesJewishWestCounty.org/pain-appointment.
REFERRING PHYSICIANS
If your patients are living with chronic pain, we can help. To learn more visit BarnesJewishWestCounty.org/pain-referral
PAIN MANAGEMENT CENTER LOCATION
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
Medical Office Building 4
1044 North Mason Road, Suite L30
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
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