Are you suffering from Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS)? Do simple activities such as walking or standing become burdensome? Patients have found relief from the revolutionary, minimally invasive Vertiflex procedure performed by Dr. Antonio Mesa.
The Vertiflex Procedure is clinically proven to provide effective long-term relief from the pain associated with LSS. The procedure is backed by one of the most extensive Level 1 Randomized Controlled Trials in the industry that established long-term safety and effectiveness of Boston Scientific’s Superion Indirect Decompression System.¹·²
How Does the Vertiflex Procedure Work?
Dr. Mesa places a small spacer inside the spine without removal of any nearby bone or tissue. Once inserted, the spacer’s arms open around the spinous processes to help make proper space for the affected nerves.
The spacer preserves the space in the spine. This keeps pressure off the nerves which causes leg and back pain. This minimally invasive procedure helps treat neurogenic claudication without requiring major surgery.
Is the Vertiflex Procedure Safe and Effective?
The Vertiflex Procedure was developed with patient safety in mind. General anesthesia is not required for the procedure and is preferred among many doctors across the United States.
The FDA clinical trial proved the effectiveness of the Vertiflex Procedure with significant improvement in pain relief.
This is an outpatient procedure, and most patients can return home the same day with minimal recovery time.
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis is the narrowing of the lower (lumbar) spinal canal which is usually caused by normal wear and tear to the spine over time. The narrowing space causes constriction on the nerves. This may result in pain and discomfort down the back and into the legs.
Symptoms include:
– Pain when walking or standing
– Weakness in legs
– Loss of balance
– Decreased physical endurance
– Numbness or tingling in the legs, buttocks, or back
– Back pain spreading to legs
The pain usually worsens when walking or standing. LSS develops gradually over time and is most common in adults over the age of 60. If left untreated, lumbar spinal stenosis can lead to significant and permanent nerve damage.
About Dr. Antonio Mesa
Antonio Mesa, DO is a board-certified neurologist and is subspecialty board certified in pain medicine. He specializes in interventional pain management. In addition to the entire spectrum of conventional pain management procedures, Dr. Mesa also provides Percutaneous Microdiscectomy, Interventional Orthopedics, Spinal Cord Stimulation and Neuromodulation, and Stem Cell Therapy. As part of his clinical practice, Dr. Mesa also runs the pelvic pain service and the pediatric pain service.
For patients who wish to avoid interventional therapies and medications, Dr. Mesa offers acupuncture and manual medicine techniques. These can be used by themselves or can be combined with other treatments to maximize pain control and function while minimizing side effects and interactions.
Dr. Mesa’s Neuroscience Pain Clinic is located at 8720 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 212 in Miami, FL 33176. To schedule an appointment, call (305) 670-7650.
References:
1. Nunley PD, Patel VV, Orndorff DG, Lavelle WF, Block JE, Geisler FH. Five-year durability of stand-alone interspinous process decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis. Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:1409-1417. (N = 88)
2. Nunley PD, Deer TR, Benyamin RM, Staats PS, Block JE. Interspinous process decompression is associated with a reduction in opioid analgesia in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. J Pain Res. 2018;11:2943-2948. (N = 107)
