Table of Contents
The following was submitted by Winchester Hospital:
Winchester Hospital performed its first Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) procedure on a 75-year-old patient with severe back pain who is now almost pain-free.
Retired Stoneham school teacher Sandy Collins lost feeling in his left leg, limped, and sometimes used a cane due to ligaments that were compressing his sciatic nerve. His doctor, Kyle Silva, DO, at the Interventional Pain & Spine Center at Winchester Hospital, recommended the MILD procedure — rather than surgery — which is an outpatient procedure that does not require general anesthesia, with short recovery time and great outcomes.
“This procedure has allowed me to get back to doing the things I love quickly,” said Collins. “After years of suffering from nerve pain, I am finally feeling relief.”
MILD treats patients who have pain when walking or standing caused by spinal stenosis. Using x-ray guidance, a doctor removes excess ligament and small bits of bone, widening the spinal canal to reduce nerve compression.
Most patients go home the same day and can often return to light activity within 24 hours. The procedure is best for patients whose pain has not improved with conservative treatments like physical therapy or steroid injections.
“The MILD procedure has a high success rate and is safe with a low risk of complications,” said Silva. “It preserves the integrity of the spine and does not prevent surgical options if needed later. It is a huge step forward for people with lower back pain.”
Winchester Hospital recently expanded its Interventional Pain & Spine Center and was able to treat Collins in the larger facility, which includes two additional exam rooms, one additional pre-op room, and two new provider offices.
“I am just grateful I am not suffering from pain anymore, especially as I look forward to enjoying this summer,” said Collins.
For more information on the Interventional Pain & Spine Center, visit the website.
About Winchester Hospital
Winchester Hospital is a 183-bed facility and leading provider of comprehensive healthcare services in northwest suburban Boston offering a broad range of surgical specialties, including general, bariatric, urologic, thoracic, otolaryngology (ENT), vascular, and orthopedic surgery. They also deliver care in other areas, including pediatrics, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, oncology, gastroenterology, rehabilitation, radiation oncology, pain management, obstetrics/gynecology, and a Level IIB Special Care Nursery.
Winchester Hospital is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a healthcare system that brings together academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, community and specialty hospitals, more than 4,700 physicians and 39,000 employees in a shared mission to expand access to great care and advance the science and practice of medicine through groundbreaking research and education.
