The Vertiflex Procedure

[@Liz_678]

I had this done. Excellent! I could not stand straight, sit, or walk before this procedure and the pain was excruciating. My biggest regret, not having it done sooner! I went through the cortisone shots , Pt, and finally the surgery. The surgery was only an hour from admittance to walking out standing up straight. I was 72 when I had this done. Medicare paid after 6 months of trying cortisone shots and PT. I hope this statement helps someone who suffered as much as I did and gets help. ( The worst thing that happened was my doctor and husband talking sitting up straight while I was bent over and I kept saying”guys I am down here!”

[@scarroll656]

I had the MILD procedure done December 30th 2022 and still having the cramping / pulling in my buttocks and down my thighs some, still have to sit down for relief, still can't stand for about 3 minutes then have to sit down, have an appointment with my surgeon to see if he will do the Vertiflex procedure, hopefully this will complete me. Or the Minuteman procedure, which is supposed to be better than the Vertiflex.

[@Liz_678]

@@scarroll656 you will feel so much better! Good luck!

[@frankvvincent3406]

I had this procedure done at 2 levels, L3-L4 and L4-L5. Over a few months, it exacerbated my pain to the point I could barely walk 20 feet. The Pain Management doctor failed to recognize that I had severe CENTRAL Stenosis, a type that is contraindicated for this procedure by Boston Scientific. The individual nerves in my lower spine had been compressed to the point that they were no longer distinguishable on an MRI, and could have progressed to "Cauda Equina Syndrome", and permanent paralysis. A year later, a spine specialist performed a laminectomy and removed the implants. That relieved the pressure on the nerves and I could walk normally. I strongly suggest a second opinion prior to having the Vertiflex procedure.

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

I cannot comment on a particular case. I do counsel patients to get a surgical opinion before an implant.

[@susieljensen]

I had the same 2 levels done with the Vertiflex. After about one year, I have difficulty walking as well. I never got ANY pain relief. I am now looking towards a fusion soon & they will definitely remove the damn things. I had way more pain after the Vertiflex. procedure. IMHO the Vertiflex is a GIMMICK.

[@frankvvincent3406]

Good luck to you. I had almost instant relief after my Laminectomy and removal of the 2 devices.@@susieljensen

[@miriamvoelker3167]

I had the Laminectomy in 2017. It did nothing. So I had to continue with steroid injections and pain meds. Then I had the MILD and it helped a few months, then back to injections, including an RFA TWICE. SO now I’m getting the Vertiflex next week. I’m so tired of all this. I do NOT want a fusion. I’m getting cramping in both legs and I’m leaning on grocery carts. I also have arthritis in my left side of my back, and a badly pinched nerve on the right side, so they want to do the Vertiflex for that. I’ll still have the arthritis. My husband says it’s from an inflammation, not genetics. Both parents had arthritis tho. He wants me to drink something he said would help the inflammation. But nope. I’m 75. This has been going on for close to 10 years. I can’t walk w/out a walker to lean on. I can’t exercise. My knees get injections and I tore my rotator cuff when I fell. My feet are also a mess with spurs and a hammertoe. Surgery on it all. I pray all the time. Really, the Laminectomy did nothing. Nothing. The MILD was better than the Laminectomy in 7 years since, they have the Vertiflex. I’d definitely try that before having a Laminectomy.

[@jeffloewi5632]

Thank you for this very informative explanation of the Vertiflex procedure. I'm 80, love shopping carts and golf carts, and I get complete relief when sitting. I've had an MRI which showed degenerative discs disease and slight scoliosis. I've done a lot of PT to strengthen my core and it's helped somewhat and Aleve is very helpful. First, does the scoliosis preclude this procedure, second would you suggest just taking an Aleve or two daily if it completely relieved my symptoms or have the procedure?

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

If Aleve twice a day is giving you relief then I would not rush to have an operation. You should have kidney function checked if taking Aleve long term, however. Vertiflex can still be done with slight scoliosis. I usually would recommend MILD procedure prior to Vertiflex as there is no implant involved. An exception is foraminal stenosis which Vertiflex may give better results than MILD.

[@jeffloewi5632]

Thanks Doc. I'll try the Aleve at least once or twice a day for the next month or so but I suspect I'll be seeing you sometime soon for either MILD or Vertiflex. I need to be able to walk 18 holes again.@@DrEdwardSRubin

[@michaelworsham2724]

I have L5 lumbar spinal stenosis, but my symptom is numbness and tingling in my left foot and calf, not the walking pain described here that is alleviated by sitting down or hunching over on a shopping cart. I wonder if this procedure is appropriate for milder spinal stenosis cases.

[@tonilopez7847]

Hi Doctor I was diagnosed with stenosis and I do all of the what you said walking leaned over shopping cart, sitting or bending makes it feel better. I'm planning on having surgery but I live alone. And don't have anyone to care for me, so could I give this a try and then consider surgery if it doesn't work please answer my question confused!

[@spiritfirehouseofprayer1097]

Give us testimonials please …

[@ArleneUSee]

Thank u for answering all my questions I am going through this procedure soon & was wondering if I need another MRI, will I be able to get it with the spacers in me

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

I apologize, I cannot comment on specific patient questions on public comments

[@robmiller54]

Dr. Can you still bend forward ?

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

The procedure does not really alter your ability to stand or bend. The first 6 weeks I ask patients to avoid bending too much until it heals in place.

[@raulocasio9168]

So, this is a "NEW" take on the COFLEX devise 'SPACER' concept...to increase the vertebral disk height and hence the foraminal space to free (more space) the nerve root that may be pinched and cause all the discomfort...? Hmmm! If you are an active person (73 years old) that participates in sports such as cycling, fishing, boxing ( heavy bag & pat workout), and core calisthenics where flexing, extending, and rotational motions are employed...this device will provide 3 - 6 months of relief before a Laminectomy is recommended with a high probability of some sort of Lumbar fusion. If you are somewhat more sedentary (calm walks by the lake) then it may provide a more extended period of relief, before the wear and tear of the devised on the spinous process due to regular motions start to become bothersome, and problematic. This, of course, is IMHO!!!

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

The Vertiflex device is a spacer meant to prevent stenosis symptoms. A spacer is more easily removed. The Coflex device fuses the spinal levels together. So it would be more permanent

[@nothingfree3524]

HAD ASCENDING Aorta REPLACED Bout 9 YEARS AGO HAD TWO ARTERIES BLOCKED 50% NOW ONLY ONE BLOCKAGE AT 50% THE OTHER 20% , NOW HAVE SPINE COMPRESSION , MONTH AGO DID TWO INJECTIONS AND NEXT DAY NO BACK PAIN TWO Days LATER HAD DOUBLE VISION FOR BOUT TWO MINUTES , FOUR DAYS LATER LEFT THUMB WENT DEAD FEEL NOTHING FOR BOUT TWO MINUTES , STILL HAVE FINGER JOINTS WITH VERY LITTLE PAIN BETTER THAN BEFORE , SO DO HESITATE TO GET INJECTION AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE STROKE SYMPTOMS SO WOULD I BE CANDIDATE FOR THE FLEX PROCEDURE IF INJECTION I HAD DOESN'T WORK AND GET BACK WITH PAIN HAD BEFORE ? AND WOULD MEDICARE COVER COST ? THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE !

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

Unfortunately I cannot comment on specific medical questions on this platform. You will have to check with your physician

[@joanettemurch9040]

Where am I?…. I just had an epidural injection following an injection in my hip.

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

Sounds like your physician is trying to find the source of the pain. if it is spinal stenosis and not responding to epidurals then Vertiflex may be an option

[@annalore5513]

hello Dr. Edward. how can we contact you?

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

My website has an office text number

[@DonnyTaylor-o7x]

how long after this type of procedure can I return to doing hunting activities?

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

If you are climbing trees I would wait 6 weeks. Normal walking and sitting outdoors 2-3 weeks would be fine

[@mysticalhealer]

Can I go back to playing racquetball or handball

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

I would advise against that initially. but 4-6 weeks later once everything fully heals it would be ok in my opinion.

[@denicereyes9985]

Can this go in the neck?

[@DrEdwardSRubin]

It is not indicated or approved for cervical placement