The Functional Outcomes of the MILD Procedure

Pennsylvania Pain and Spine Institute oversees and collaborates on research  throughout the year with the Medical Students that are on rotation at our practice. 

The latest research was focused on the functional outcomes of the MILD (Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression) procedure and was conducted by medical student, Lee Esposito, as well as Dr. Robert Kelly, Dr. David Bozak, and Lauren Bruce, PA-C who were co-authors on the research. 

Lee Esposito is a 4th year medical student from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and was on rotation with PA Pain and Spine to learn more about interventional pain medicine, the procedures/treatments performed, and to be involved with the patient care. 

He presented the research this month at the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) conference in New Orleans. 

The research demonstrates a specific case of a 76 year old female patient at Pennsylvania Pain and Spine Institute with Spinal Stenosis and Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy. The case covered the patient’s level of functionality before and after the MILD procedure in addition to the long-term outcomes the procedure can provide. 

An overview of the findings conclude that one month post-o the patient no longer required a cane for ambulation, had significant improvement in daily function, and was able to perform activities of daily living without reproducing the symptoms of stenosis. It also indicates that the level of safety of the outpatient procedure is equivalent to that of an epidural steroid injection and therefore carries low risk for complications. 

If you would like to learn more about the MILD procedure, or about the findings of this research & previous cases, schedule a consultation with one of our physicians to discuss. 

The poster below represents an overview of the research gathered for reference. 

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