Minuteman spine treatment
Non-surgical back pain relief
The Minuteman® Spine Intervention is a minimally invasive, interspinous-interlaminar fusion device intended for the fixation and stabilization of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine while awaiting bony fusion to occur The Minuteman® is designed for attachment to the posterior non-cervical spine at the spinous processes through its bilateral locking plates, and it is intended for use with bone graft material placed within the device. It provides immobilization and stabilization of the spinal segments. The core threaded post allows for optimal placement and a wide range of sizes allows for enhanced anatomical fit. The Minuteman® is delivered sterile and individually packed.
How is the Minuteman Procedure performed?
Minuteman G5 MIS Fusion Plat Patient Education
During the procedure, a 1-inch incision is made on the side of your body, dilation is used to access the spine, and the Minuteman® is implanted with bone graft material. The lateral approach does not require dissection or stripping of the sensitive back muscles, bones or nerves.This advantageous approach may lead to a shorter operative time, less blood loss, reduced hospital stay, and a faster recovery time. Watch our animation below.
How is the Minuteman different from traditional back surgery?
Common Patient Complaints
Does this Sound Familiar?
- “I get pain relief when I lean forward.”
- “My pain gets worse when I sit for too long.”
- “Sometimes, I get a tingling feeling in my legs when I walk to the bathroom.”
- “My legs feel heavy when I stand for too long.”
- “My back pain gets worse when I stand for too long.”
Anatomical Problem
Anatomical ProblemLumbar Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, Degenerative Disc Disease
- A common symptom could include pain shooting down the front or back of your legs due to the nerves being pinched in your spine. (LSS)
- Low back pain is commonly caused by a slipped vertebrae (Spondylolisthesis).
- Low back pain and/or leg pain can be caused by a bulging or protruding disc (DDD).
The Minuteman Procedure for back and/or leg pain | herniated discs
The Minuteman is a minimally invasive, interspinous-interlaminar fusion device intended for the stabilization and fusion of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine.- Less than 1 inch incision
- Same day, outpatient procedure
- Quick recovery time
How It Works
- During the procedure, a 1-inch incision is made on the side of your body, dilation is used to access the spine, and the Minuteman® is implanted with bone graft material
- The lateral approach does not require dissection or stripping of the sensitive back muscles, bones or nerves.
- This advantageous approach may lead to a shorter operative time, less blood loss, reduced hospital stay, and a faster recovery time.
Post-Operative Care Guidelines
- Surgical site wounds will have a few stitches or staples that should be kept clean and dry for 7 to 14 days.
- Avoid scrubbing the surgical site for 72 hours.
- Do not take baths or submerge the surgical site.
- Clean the site with soap and water and change the bandage daily and/or any time the bandage gets wet
- Report any changes in the wound such as redness, bleeding, and/or swelling to your physician.
Post-Operative Restrictions
All patients have different needs therefore it is important to always follow the treating physician’s instructions regarding recommended activity restrictions.
- For 4-8 weeks, limit all bending, lifting, twisting and strenuous activity including:
- Avoid lifting over 10-15lbs.
- Strenuous activity such as swimming, running, jogging, golfing, tennis, other recreational sports, or sexual activity.
- Increase light activity, such as walking, as tolerated.
- Be sure to ask your physician regarding further recommended activity restrictions at your first follow-up visit.
FAQ : Minuteman procedure cost and recovery time
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1. Is the Minuteman procedure right for me?
The following questions will help determine if the Minuteman® System is right for you:
- Does your back or leg pain worsen with prolonged standing or walking?
- Does your back or leg pain improve while you are sitting?
- Does leaning forward improve your pain?
If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, Ask if the Minuteman Procedure may be right for you.
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2. What are the potential benefits of the Minuteman procedure?
The Minuteman may provide the following benefits:
- Reduced procedure time
- Decreased blood loss
- Same day surgery
- 1-inch incision
- Little to no post-op pain
- Ability to place at L5-S1
- Minimal tissue disruption
- Supraspinous Ligament remains intact
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3. What causes back & leg pain?
Back pain is usually caused by the natural degeneration of the spine as we age. Severe degeneration can cause weakness or instability of your spine, which can lead to debilitating pain in the lower back. These painful symptoms can also extend into your buttocks, legs, or feet.
While back and/or leg pain are extremely common, the symptoms and severity of the pain vary greatly. Your pain may be dull, sharp, may be in one isolated area, or cover a broad area. Your back pain may include shooting pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the legs and feet. Pain that travels to the legs and feet is commonly due to the degenerative process that causes nerves around the spine to become pinched.
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4. What causes spinal degeneration?
Spinal degeneration is a condition characterized by gradual wear and tear to the discs, joints, and bones of the spine. The cause of spinal degeneration is simple overuse or aging. As you age, the degenerative changes to your spine may include decreased disc height, instability, loss of joint cartilage, bone spurs (osteophytes), and thickened ligaments and bones. Spinal degeneration can lead to instability in the spine. This is when one vertebra slips forward over another vertebra, causing pain, also known as spondylolisthesis. Arthritis is also a form of spinal degeneration. Due to a loss of joint cartilage, bone spurs and thickened ligaments can develop and cause narrowing of the spinal canal. As a result, the spinal nerve roots may become pinched and cause pain that radiates down the leg.
Identifying your symptoms, along with an accurate diagnosis of the underlying causes of the pain, is the first step to obtaining effective pain relief. At The Pain Center, there is a new minimally invasive treatment that can help.
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5. How can Minuteman help back & leg pain?
If you suffer from chronic back or leg pain, and have not found relief from conservative treatments, Dr. Thompson may recommend a minimally invasive spinal fusion.
The following questions will help determine if the Minuteman System is right for you:
- Does your back or leg pain worsen with prolonged standing or walking?
- Does your back or leg pain improve while you are sitting?
- Does leaning forward improve your pain?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be a candidate for implantation of Minuteman. Minuteman offers a less invasive alternative to traditional fusion procedures. When it comes to stabilizing the spine, the Minuteman has been shown to be comparable to screws and rods (Data is on File at Spinal Simplicity). This helps alleviate symptoms of back and leg pain. For people who are not able to physically handle a more traditional fusion or long recovery, the Minuteman may be a particularly good option.
It is important to talk to Dr. Thompson about the best way to treat your back and/or leg pain. Your doctor will decide if minimally invasive spine surgery is the right choice for your condition. Minuteman is intended for plate fixation/attachment to spinous processes for the purpose of achieving supplemental fusion in the following conditions: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Spondylolisthesis.
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6. Does Minuteman require an overnight stay?
Almost all patients go home the same day.
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7. Is it covered by Medicare?
Yes, and private insurance too
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8. Can I still have MRIs?
Yes, under certain conditions.
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9. Will I get immediate pain relief?
In many cases, yes; however, some soreness can be expected after surgery.
