The Minuteman® Procedure
The Minuteman Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment option for Lumbar spinal stenosis—a condition where the spinal canal in the lower back becomes narrowed, putting pressure on the spinal nerves. This narrowing is often caused by age-related changes such as:
- Thickened ligaments
- Bone spurs
- Bulging or degenerated discs
- Arthritis of the spine
When the nerves are compressed, it can lead to pain and difficulty with standing or walking. Many people with lumbar stenosis find they feel better when sitting or bending forward, because this position slightly opens the spinal canal and reduces pressure on the nerves.
The Minuteman procedure aims to reduce this nerve compression, stabilize the spine, and improve walking ability and quality of life. It offers a more conservative treatment option for patients who have not found relief through therapeutic efforts and want to avoid larger open-back surgery.
Who Benefits from the Minuteman Procedure
You may be a candidate for a less invasive stabilization procedure like Minuteman if you experience:
- Lower back pain with leg pain
- Leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness when standing or walking
- Symptoms that improve when sitting or leaning forward (often called the “shopping cart sign”)
- Difficulty walking long distances due to pain or heaviness in the legs
- Imaging (MRI or CT) showing lumbar spinal stenosis and spinal instability
- Symptoms that persist despite treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections
The Minuteman procedure is often considered when both nerve compression and segmental instability are contributing to symptoms.
What to Expect
The Minuteman procedure is a minimally invasive spinal fusion technique designed to stabilize the spine and indirectly relieve nerve compression.
- Preparation: You’ll undergo imaging and diagnostic evaluation beforehand. Certain medications, especially blood thinners, may need to be paused.
- Anesthesia: Usually performed under general anesthesia or deep sedation.
- Technique:
- A small incision is made in the lower back.
- Using X-ray guidance, the surgeon places the Minuteman interspinous fusion device between the affected vertebrae.
- The device stabilizes the spine and helps restore spacing, which can reduce pressure on nearby nerves.
- Bone graft material may be added to encourage long-term fusion.
- Duration: The procedure typically takes about 1 hour.
- Outpatient: Many patients go home the same day or after a short observation period.
After the Procedure
- Immediate Recovery: You’ll spend some time in recovery while anesthesia wears off.
- Pain and Soreness: Mild to moderate soreness near the incision is common and usually improves over several days.
- Mobility: Most patients are able to stand and walk shortly after the procedure.
- Symptom Improvement: Some patients notice improvement in leg symptoms fairly quickly, while others experience gradual improvement over several weeks as inflammation decreases and healing progresses.
Risks and Considerations
While the Minuteman procedure is less invasive than traditional spinal fusion, potential risks include:
- Infection or bleeding
- Implant movement or failure to fully fuse
- Continued or recurrent symptoms if multiple spinal levels are involved
- Nerve irritation (rare)
Careful patient selection and proper diagnosis are important to ensure the procedure is targeting the true source of pain.
Explore the Twin Cities Metro Clinics where we evaluate patients for Minuteman
*iSpine Clinic locations where Minuteman procedures are conducted
