PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Dr. William Porter McRoberts, an Interventional Spine and Pain Medicine Specialist with Holy Cross Hospital, discussed spinal stenosis during the Local10.com midday web chat.
"Spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition of the spine where as the spine ages, and also shortens, the size of the canal which holds the spinal cord and nerve roots gets smaller, placing undue pressure on those nerve elements," said McRoberts. "The results are increasing pain or heaviness in the legs and buttocks when walking and standing."
McRoberts said common approaches start with the least invasive options.
"Many patients feel better with physical therapy, specifically working on strengthening the stomach muscles. We also use over the counter anti-inflammatories and sometimes stronger medication for more tenacious problems," said McRoberts.
If the pain persists, McRoberts said the next step is epidural injections of steroid anti-inflammatories.
"After these options, a few years ago, the only next consideration was open laminectomy or spine surgery. However, in the past couple of years a new approach has been developed called MILD or minimally invasive lumbar decompression. This is where the compressive ligaments pressing in on the nerve are removed with a small device through a needle," said McRoberts.
McRoberts said relief from the MILD procedure is usually 60 to 70 percent.
"What we find is that about 60 to 70 percent of people get great results, the remaining 30 to 40 percent get very little," said McRoberts. "The nice thing about MILD is that the risk of complication and nerve injury has been very, very low."
McRoberts said there are new therapies being developed that may eliminate the need for surgery in the future.
To reach McRoberts call: 954-229-7962.