Vertiflex Treatment for Spinal Stenosis in Houston

As we age, the size and shape of the spinal canal can change. For some people, those changes narrow the space around the nerves in the lower back. This is called spinal stenosis. When it becomes severe, it can make walking or standing up straight very hard. Many people also feel pain in the legs, buttocks, or groin, along with leg weakness, numbness, or cramping.

At TX Spine and Joint in Houston, Dr. Ankur Mehta, DO, evaluates spinal stenosis and talks through the options that fit your symptoms and goals. For some patients, one of those options is the Vertiflex procedure, which uses a small implant called Superion.*

Common Signs of Spinal Stenosis

• Pain, heaviness, or cramping in the legs or buttocks when you stand or walk
• Needing to stop and rest, or lean forward (for example, on a shopping cart), before the leg symptoms ease
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs
• Trouble standing up straight for very long

Other back and nerve problems can cause similar symptoms, so a careful exam and a look at your imaging always come first.

A Middle Option Between Living With It and Major Surgery

Many people with spinal stenosis feel stuck between two very different choices: live with the condition, perhaps with some conservative care, or have invasive surgery. The Vertiflex procedure gives the right patients a middle option.*

How the Vertiflex Procedure Works

Through a very small tube, Dr. Mehta places the Superion implant in the lower back. Superion is a small H-shaped spacer that sits between two bones of the spine and relieves pressure on the affected nerves. The procedure is minimally invasive, with little blood loss or tissue damage, which makes it a relatively simple outpatient procedure.*

Superion is FDA-approved for certain patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Dr. Mehta will explain whether you fit that group and what the procedure would involve for you.

Recovery

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, patients typically recover quickly, and the spine is not destabilized.* Before your procedure, our team will go over what to expect afterward, including your activity guidelines and follow-up visits. Following that aftercare plan is an important part of getting a good result.

Is Vertiflex Right for You?

Not everyone with spinal stenosis is a candidate. Dr. Mehta will review your symptoms, health history, exam, and imaging, such as an MRI, and ask what you have already tried. For some people a different treatment makes more sense, and that is part of the conversation too. The goal is a plan you understand and feel good about, not a rush to a procedure.

Talk With Us About Spinal Stenosis

If leg pain, numbness, or weakness is cutting your walks short, we can help you sort out what is going on. Call 832-849-0909, text 832-909-0869, or schedule online. Our office is at 8830 Long Point Rd. #502, Houston, TX 77055, and is open Monday–Thursday 8:00am–5:00pm and Friday 8:00am–4:00pm.

*Results will vary by person and are based upon the patient, the surgery type and the compliance with the aftercare program. As with any medical procedure or surgery, there are specific risks and possible complications.