Spinal Degeneration:
The Problem & Solution
The Problem
Degenerative spinal conditions involve the gradual wear and tear of the spine’s discs, joints and
bones. Spinal degeneration can be the result of tumors, infections or arthritis. But the most
common cause is aging.
As we get older, pressure on the spinal cord can cause:
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Decreased disc height
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Instability
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Loss of joint cartilage
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Bone spurs
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Thickened ligaments and bones
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Symptoms of degenerative spine conditions include:
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Sharp or chronic pain, either with movement or at rest
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Spinal deformity
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Limited motion
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Nerve injuries (including weakness; sensory loss; problems with bladder and bowel
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function; and sexual dysfunction)
Medical imaging technologies (X-rays, MRIs, CTs) can help physicians diagnose a degenerative
spine condition.
The Solution
Treatments vary based on a patient’s diagnosis. Non-surgical treatments such as physical
therapy, braces, medication and epidural steroid injections may manage some patients’
symptoms effectively. For others, surgery may be required. However, advances in minimally
invasive treatment can alleviate pain without the need for major surgery.
If you’ve identified your symptoms and been accurately diagnosed by a physician, yet have not
found relief from conservative treatments, Minuteman® may be right for you. Minuteman® is a
new, minimally invasive spinal fusion.
Ask yourself the following:
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Does your back or leg pain worsen with prolonged standing or walking?
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Does your back or leg pain improve when you’re sitting?
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Does leaning forward improve your pain?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may be a candidate for the Minuteman®
procedure.
Minuteman® offers a less invasive alternative to traditional fusion procedures. The Minuteman®
device is intended for the stabilization and fusion of the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine. In
terms of stabilizing the spine, Minuteman® has been shown to be comparable to screws and
rods, which helps alleviate symptoms of back and leg pain.
Minuteman® may be an especially good option for people who cannot handle a traditional fusion
or long recovery. The device is intended for achieving supplemental fusion in the following
conditions: lumbar spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis.
What Patients Can Expect
Minuteman® is a minimally invasive procedure and it can usually be done as an outpatient surgery. Patients generally leave the hospital or ambulatory surgery center the same day. While each case is different, patients can usually expect a full recovery within a few days to a week, with minimal post-operative pain.
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Your doctor can determine if the Minuteman® is right for your condition.
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For more on what patients can expect, visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
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Don’t yet have a doctor, but suffer from these pain conditions? Let us connect you with a physician in your area.
Testimonial
Joanne Sykes, Rochester, N.Y.
For more than two years, I suffered from debilitating sciatic nerve electric shock. It was horrendous. I never knew when it was coming and when it did, I would sit in my chair, grab a pillow and just scream.
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A friend referred me to a local doctor. He did several injections, and suggested I get a walker. At that time, I couldn’t do simple household tasks, and with everything I did, I always had to think ahead about whether I could get from here to there.
I had already been told by two other surgeons I was not a candidate for the traditional metal rods and screws. I didn’t necessarily want them, but I was ready to do almost anything. It was very discouraging.
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He suggested a procedure called mild®. That started me on the road to feeling better when the doctor then told me about a newer, more innovative procedure he wanted to try, called the Minuteman®. So, I did some additional research after my conversation with him, and a gentleman from the company came and showed me the titanium bolt that is used to stabilize the spine and helped by answering my questions. I trusted my doctor and felt at ease after understanding the process.
I went in for surgery in December 2022. I basically laid down, went to sleep and didn’t feel a thing – and I came out and felt great. Afterward, the doctor told me to avoid bending over and to walk with support at first. But there was no pain, so I had a hard time taking it easy!
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Day by day, I felt better and better. I didn’t wake up in the middle of the night in pain anymore. I was slowly able to wean off the pain medications. In fact, I don’t take any now unless I absolutely need it – and then I only take Tylenol.
The best part is, I don’t have to think about what I’m doing. I don’t have to think, “can I get from here to there?” I can sit for a while, I can do dishes, and I can do laundry – I can do all the things I couldn’t do for about two years prior to surgery.
I would encourage anybody, if they’re living with pain, to give the Minuteman® procedure a chance and listen to what their doctor has to say. It has changed my life and I’m very grateful to my doctor and his team.