Beware the MILD Procedure SCAM!

Patients are being duped into accepting a procedure, the MILD procedure, for treatment of their lumbar stenosis, back pain and nerve root compression problems. There are numerous issues with this intervention:

1) Pain doctors are not qualified to perform lumbar decompression surgery. They do not undergo training in the art or science of surgery, surgical principles, or frankly, surgical anatomy. In fact, they are poorly equipped to care for a single complication that might arise from one of these procedures (of course, the doctor often neglects to mention the procedure does subject the patient to these risks), a fact that raises serious doubts about why they are doing these surgeries in the first place.

2) The procedure is performed BLINDLY. The doctor places a device or probe into the patient's spinal canal under x-ray guidance without ever visualizing the spine whatsoever. Then they proceed to remove some tissue (also BLINDLY) without ever verifying the nerve root and nerve sac are safe! It is a reckless and foolish approach to treating lumbar stenosis. 

3) The MILD procedure fails nearly half the time. Why? Because it's simply not possible for the pain doctor to remove the compression of the nerve sac with this haphazard technique. For example, much of the ligament the pain doctor claims to remove is tucked UNDER the bone. And the nerve roots are often compression but the facet joints (another bony structure). And this "technique" cannot address either area adequately. 

4) Most of the "positive" scientific trials that indicate benefit from this procedure are the trials funded by -- you guessed it -- the medical industrial companies that make the MILD procedure instruments that are sold to hospitals!

Nowadays, we have proven, minimally invasive techniques to fix lumbar stenosis problems and get people back to living life within a few days. Don't sell yourself short with an unproven fad like the MILD!

- Dr Shukairy, Minimally invasive spine surgeon

#minimallyinvasive #endoscopic #backpain #nwindiana #chicago #illinois