Vertiflex
Anesthesiologist and Pain Management Physician located in Bangor, ME
If you have neck, leg, or back pain caused by spinal stenosis, see skilled pain management and anesthesiology specialist Ammar Mahmoud, MD, in Bangor, Maine. He offers the cutting-edge, minimally invasive Vertiflex™ procedure to ease discomfort caused by a narrowed spinal canal and nerve pressure. Call his office to learn more, or use the online booking feature today.
The Vertiflex procedure is a minimally invasive spinal treatment in which Dr. Mahmoud inserts a tiny medical device into your spine to widen its canal after you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis. The device helps keep the canal open to reduce pressure placed on pinched, painful nerves. The Vertiflex procedure is highly effective with long-lasting results.
Dr. Mahmoud lets you know if you’re a candidate for the Vertiflex procedure after discussing your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and treatment preferences. He may recommend this procedure if you have spinal stenosis and the pain associated with it. The common symptoms caused by spinal stenosis include:
Spinal stenosis pain may worsen if you stand or walk and ease up when you lean forward or sit down. It usually develops gradually over time, especially if you’re over 60.
Common causes of spinal stenosis include degenerative disc disease, thickened ligaments, osteoarthritis, and some bone diseases. When left untreated, the condition can cause permanent nerve damage.
The Vertiflex procedure is minimally invasive, safe, and Food and Drug Administration-approved. It offers long-lasting relief from spinal stenosis pain. This same-day procedure has a quick recovery time, and it’s covered by Medicare and some private insurance companies.
Before the procedure, follow Dr. Mahmoud’s instructions. You might need to stop taking certain medicines and arrange for someone to drive you home after your treatment.
You first receive local numbing medicine and a sedative to help you relax. Dr. Mahmoud cleans the treatment area and makes a tiny incision near your spine to insert the Vertiflex spacer inside your spine under fluoroscopic X-ray guidance without removing any tissues.
The procedure lasts about 15-30 minutes. Once inserted, the spacer preserves space within your spine to keep pressure off painful nerves.
Afterward, have someone drive you home, take it easy, take medicines as directed, and follow up with Dr. Mahmoud as needed.
To learn more about the Vertiflex procedure and find out if it’s right for you, call Ammar Mahmoud, MD, or schedule an evaluation online today.