If you’re facing LSS, common treatments you’ll come across include physical therapy and medication. If these non-surgical methods don’t bring relief, your physician may recommend a minimally invasive procedure called Vertiflex, which is an interspinous spacer inserted to create more room where your spinal canal has narrowed.

The Vertiflex Implant Process

With LSS, parts of the spine get too close to each other. Effectively, the Vertiflex procedure puts a titanium implant in the spine to hold the two vertebrae apart. This innovative process is performed under local anesthesia to numb any discomfort in the procedure area.

Here’s what to expect from your Vertiflex implant:

• You’ll receive medication through an IV drip to help you relax.
• After local anesthesia, the surgeon will make a small incision above the problematic vertebrae and insert a tube to insert the implant. This fits neatly into your spine. 
• The surgeon will then remove the tube, close up the incision, and bandage is applied

Most patients can return home the same day and may experience minor soreness for a few days. Heavy lifting should be avoided initially, but normal activities can resume relatively quickly.

One study in the Cureus journal shares success stories from elderly patients who had other comorbidities and received a Vertiflex implant. These patients didn’t have any complications despite these other conditions.