Standing and Walking Pain? How the Minimally Invasive MILD® Procedure Restores Spinal Mobility

If standing or walking has you seeking a chair after only a few minutes, you could have lumbar spinal stenosis. A minimally invasive treatment called MILD® may help relieve spinal stenosis symptoms and restore your ability to move more comfortably.

Pain when you walk or stand isn't just inconvenient; it's often debilitating. At Comprehensive Pain Management Partners, with offices in Tampa, Venice, Dade City, and New Port Richey, Florida, lumbar spinal stenosis specialists Eric Haynes, MD, and Rudy Panganiban, MD, help patients find solutions that last.

For many people with lumbar spinal stenosis, the minimally invasive MILD® procedure offers a way to reduce pain and improve mobility without traditional spine surgery.

If you can walk farther when leaning on a shopping cart or sitting down gives you near-instant relief, spinal stenosis may be the reason. That's where MILD really shines, offering effective long-term relief.

Why spinal stenosis affects standing and walking

Lumbar spinal stenosis develops when the spinal canal that contains the delicate nerves and tissues in your spine narrows. This compresses nerves in the lower back, often triggering pain.

One common cause is thickening of the ligament tissue inside the spine. As pressure on the nerves increases, everyday activities can become progressively more challenging.

Some of the hallmark symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis often include:

Pain in the lower back, buttocks, or legs
Cramping, heaviness, or weakness when walking

Difficulty standing for long periods
Symptoms that improve when sitting or bending forward
Reduced ability to exercise or stay active

These symptoms, called neurogenic claudication, often worsen over time if the underlying problem (usually spinal stenosis) isn't addressed.

What is the MILD procedure?

Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD) is an outpatient procedure that eases pressure on spinal nerves caused by thickened ligament tissue.

During the procedure, your surgeon at Comprehensive Pain Management Partners uses specialized instruments inserted through a tiny opening (just 1 centimeter) in the skin.

They extract very small amounts of excess tissue from the spinal canal, creating more space for the nerves and reducing nerve compression.

Unlike traditional surgery, the MILD procedure:

Requires no large incision
Doesn't use screws or implants
Preserves surrounding spinal structures

Involves minimal blood loss

Most patients return home the same day, with very little downtime.

How MILD can help restore spinal mobility

When pressure on the nerves decreases, patients often find that standing and walking become easier. Potential benefits include:

Walking longer distances with less discomfort
Spending more time on your feet
Improved stability and confidence

Greater participation in daily activities
Better overall quality of life

The goal isn’t simply pain relief. It’s helping patients regain function and return to activities they enjoy.

Who may be a candidate for MILD?

MILD may be an option for people with lumbar spinal stenosis who continue to experience symptoms despite treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or epidural injections.

A thorough evaluation and imaging studies help determine whether this procedure is the right fit. Because every patient is different, personalized treatment planning is essential.

If lower back and leg pain are limiting your mobility, our team can help identify the cause and recommend advanced treatment options such as MILD.

Schedule an appointment with Comprehensive Pain Management Partners online or by phone today to learn more about this innovative treatment.