(310) 803-9401
  • Make A Payment
  • Directions
Request an Appointment

The Surgery Center of South BayThe Surgery Center of South Bay

  • For Patients
    • Keeping You Safe During COVID-19
    • How To Prepare For Surgery
    • Patient Forms
    • Insurance and Billing
    • Request an Appointment
  • Find a Physician
  • Specialties
  • Conditions
  • For Physicians
  • About Us

MILD Procedure

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a condition that occurs when the spinal canal narrows and causes the nerves to become compressed. People who have LSS often experience chronic back and leg pain, tingling or numbness. The condition is primarily caused by aging as well as degeneration of the spine, and growth of bones and ligaments.

Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) is a type of outpatient procedure to treat people with LSS. During the procedure, a physician removes excess bone and ligaments in the narrowed area, which creates more space in the spinal canal so the nerves can decompress. MILD can help patients stand longer and walk farther with less pain, and is less invasive than traditional open spine surgery.

Preparing for MILD

Prior to the appointment, discuss all medications to determine if any need to be adjusted prior to procedure.

On the day of the procedure, do not eat within six hours before the procedure; however, water or other clear liquids are allowed until two hours before the procedure, as authorized by a physician.

Patients should make arrangements to have a family member or friend drive home them after the procedure.

What Happens During MILD?

After being given a local anesthesia and light sedation, a physician will make a tiny incision in the back. Next, they will use an imaging device called a fluoroscope that will allow them to view the area in real time.

Using specialized surgical tools, a physician will remove small bits of overgrown bone and ligament tissue from the spinal canal. Usually the procedure takes one hour or less.

What Happens after MILD?

Patients will wait in a recovery room for the anesthesia to wear off. Patients should not drive, bathe or swim on the day of the procedure, but otherwise should be able to do most normal activities.

There will likely be some soreness at the site of the incision, but recovery time is shorter than other surgical procedures for treating LSS. Unless there are complications, patients should be able to return to work and perform normal daily tasks within a few days of the procedure.

Although every patient is different, most patients experience a reduction in pain and an increase in mobility.

ACL Repair Adhesiolysis Advanced Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic Surgery Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Arthrodesis Arthroplasty Baerveldt Implant - Glaucoma Drainage Devices Blepharoplasty/Eyelid Revision Procedures Bunion/Hammer Toe Correction Cataract Surgery Cataract Surgery with ORA Colposcopy Corneal Transplants DSAEK Disc Decompression Dupuytren's Surgery Endometrial Ablation Endometrial/Uterine Biopsy Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Epidural Steroid Injection Ex-Press Mini Glaucoma Shunt Eyelid Surgery for Aging Eyes Facet Joint Injections Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Ganglion Mass Excision General Anesthesia Glaucoma Medications Glaucoma Surgery Hysterectomy IOLs Intercostal Nerve Blocks Intrathecal Pumps – Trial and Implant Intrauterine Device (IUDs) Joint Arthroscopy: Knee, Shoulder and Ankle Joint Injections Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - Gallbladder Procedure Laser Trabeculoplasty Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) Lumbar Discectomy Lumbar Laminectomy MILD Procedure Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) Orthopedic Procedures Pain Stimulator Insertion (Spinal Cord Stimulation) Pediatric Anesthesia Peripheral Nerve Blocks Plantar Fasciotomy Pterygium Surgery Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Refractive Surgery Repair of Fractures, Tendons, Nerves Revision Sinus Surgery Revision of Fingertip Amputation Rotator Cuff Repair Sacral Nerve Stimulation Sacroiliac Joint Injection Scleral Buckling Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) Selective Nerve Blocks (SNRB) Sinuplasty Skin Flap Skin Graft Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial Spine Procedures Tenosynovectomy Trabeculectomy Ultrasound Vitrectomy YAG Laser Procedure iStent Glaucoma Surgery With Cataract Surgery
  • Contact Us
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination
  • Notice of Privacy Practices
  • Terms of Service
  • Internet Privacy Policy
  • Billing Disclosure

Surgery Center of South Bay
23500 Madison Street,
Torrance, CA 90505

© 2023 The Surgery Center of South Bay