"LSS" and "MILD"

Lumbar spinal stenosis, or “LSS”, is a painful condition typically caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal and corresponding compression of the spinal cord and nerves of the lumbar vertebrae. This is usually due to the common spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. In other patients, LSS can be caused by trauma, spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis, or some tumors. 

For years, LSS was treated with a combination of rest, physical therapy, and injections. If those treatments failed to provide the patient's desired level of relief, surgery was the next step in treatment. 

“MILD” stands for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression. “MILD” is exactly what it sounds like: a comparatively “mild” and minimally invasive treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis, or “LSS.”  This single-day outpatient treatment addresses one of the most common causes of low back and leg pain.  

The NEW "NEXT STEP"

MILD is the new next step.

You may not need surgery. MILD can save many patients the time, cost and potential complications of a complex spine surgery. 

The MILD procedure is designed to increase the critical diameter of the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the nerves of the spine. Technically, the procedure involves limited percutaneous laminotomy and thinning of the ligamentum flavum. (Read more at the National Institute of Health.)

This minimally invasive treatment can be done in an outpatient setting, under local anesthesia. 

Dr. Fausett

Dr. Fausett was one of the first doctors in Southern California to be credentialed to offer the MILD procedure and is one of the leading practitioners of this new therapy.