Interspinous Spacer Stabilization (Minuteman Procedure)

The Minuteman procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to help stabilize the lower back and create space for nearby nerves.

It involves placing a small implant between the spinous processes of the lumbar spine using specialized imaging to guide placement.

The implant is intended to:

• Improve spinal stability
• Reduce abnormal spinal motion
• Help maintain space for spinal nerves
• Reduce symptoms associated with lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative instability

Patients may be candidates for interspinous stabilization procedures if they:

• Have lumbar spinal stenosis
• Have pain or heaviness in the legs with standing or walking
• Have persistent symptoms despite conservative treatment
• Experience symptom improvement when sitting or bending forward
• Are unable or unwilling to undergo open spine surgery
• Have degenerative spinal instability or facet-related degeneration in selected cases

To make sure this treatment is the right fit for your needs, our team will review your imaging and perform a physical exam.

During the procedure, we:

• Have the patient lie face down on an X-ray table
• Clean the skin using sterile technique
• Use fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to identify the target spinal level
• Make a small incision in the lower back
• Place the implant between the spinous processes using special instruments

The procedure is designed to support the spine while reducing pressure on nearby nerves.

We perform this through a small incision, with the intent to limit damage to surrounding muscles and tissues.

Benefits of interspinous stabilization procedures may include:

• Less pain, numbness and tingling in the legs
• Being able to stand or walk longer with less discomfort
• Better stability in the lower back
• Improved ability to do everyday activities
• Going home the same day
• A shorter recovery time compared with more extensive procedures

Response to treatment varies depending on spinal anatomy and individual patient factors, including how severe your stenosis is.

These procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis, and patients return home the same day.

Many patients can gradually resume light activities within days to weeks after the procedure.

Recovery and activity guidelines are different for each patient, based on their condition and procedural findings.

Risks may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Nerve irritation or injury
• Implant-related complications
• Persistent pain
• Incomplete symptom relief
• Need for future spine procedures

Your physician will review the risks and benefits of the procedure during your evaluation.

The UK Interventional Pain Medicine program offers a wide range of minimally invasive procedures to help treat back and spine pain, including:

• Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MILD)
• Interspinous stabilization procedures
• Basivertebral nerve ablation
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion
• Endoscopic medial branch transection
• Kyphoplasty and vertebral augmentation to help stabilize spinal fractures
• Neuromodulation therapies

Your treatment plan will be based on your symptoms, imaging results, past treatments, anatomy and goals for improving function.

Our multidisciplinary approach includes collaboration with:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopaedic surgery 
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Neurology
• Physical therapy
• Primary care providers

This collaborative approach helps ensure comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment planning.